The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to clear illegal settlements obstructing development projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. According to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), these unauthorized settlements, especially in Durumi District’s Area 1 in Garki, have become hubs for criminal activities and are preventing land allottees and government agencies from accessing allocated lands critical for urban development.
The announcement came as part of intensified efforts to combat insecurity and promote urban growth. Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, disclosed that the illegal settlements have become operational bases for kidnappers, drug peddlers, armed robbers, and one-chance operators. He highlighted a recent security operation, conducted about three months ago, which led to the arrest of over 120 criminals in Area 1, Durumi. During this operation, authorities recovered seven stolen vehicles, 79 stolen motorcycles, and 155 ATM cards associated with various crimes. Some of the makeshift structures were cleared then, but the shanties have since re-emerged, with criminals regrouping and making the area unsafe for law-abiding residents.
FCTA Minister Nyesom Wike emphasized that poverty is not a justification for illegal settlement and crime in the capital city. Speaking in a recent media chat, Wike rejected the notion that economic hardship should excuse unlawful migration or tolerance of criminal hideouts in Abuja. “Criminals don’t stay where you will locate them; they stay in places where you cannot find them,” he said, stressing the priority of security in his administration. Wike warned against landowners who leave allocated lands undeveloped, inadvertently providing shelter for criminals. The Minister affirmed that the government would evict illegal occupants to safeguard residents and ensure developmental projects proceed without hindrance.
The ongoing crackdown involves the establishment of a Stakeholders Committee that includes heads of security agencies, FCTA officials, civil society organizations, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists. This committee aims to coordinate efforts to rid the FCT of illegal settlements and secure the environment for development.
Illegal settlements have long hindered the effective implementation of developmental projects in Abuja, reducing the city’s aesthetic appeal and exacerbating security challenges. The land in question was allocated over 20 years ago, yet illegal settlers have prevented its use by rightful allottees and government agencies.
Currently, FCTA has begun clearing similar illegal structures in the City Centre, with plans to extend the clearance to Area 1, Durumi soon. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to restore order, reduce crime, and open up spaces for planned infrastructural and urban development projects.
As the Federal Government intensifies these measures, next steps include continuous security operations, collaboration with community stakeholders, and the adoption of sustainable urban policies to prevent the re-emergence of illegal settlements. Residents and landowners are encouraged to cooperate with authorities to achieve a safer, more developed Abuja.
This decisive action reflects the government’s commitment to balancing development and security in Nigeria’s capital city, signaling a transformation aimed at making Abuja not only the center of governance but also a safe and thriving metropolis for its residents.
