The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has issued a directive to demolish a scavengers’ colony situated along the road corridor cutting across Mabushi, Jahi, and Kado Districts.
The move comes as part of a broader effort to enhance security within the capital city.
Mr. Wike made the announcement during a visit to the area, officially known as ‘Road N12’ in Mabushi District of the FCT, on Monday. He described the colony, located behind the Minister’s Quarters in Mabushi District, as a serious “threat” to the security of the city.
The area had been taken over by scavengers, locally known as ‘Baban Bola,’ which included mechanics and furniture makers who had set up shop in the vicinity.
Accompanied by a combined team of security personnel and senior officials of the FCT Administration, Minister Wike emphasized the need to intensify efforts to rid the city of criminal elements, declaring that such dens of criminals would not be tolerated in the FCT.
Furthermore, he noted that the colony had thrived under the cover of a dense canopy of cashew trees planted by indigenous people of the FCT for speculative purposes.
“You should not compensate them. This is a hideout of criminals, and the communities should stop planting trees in the area. When they see that the government intends to develop the road, they come and plant crops for the government to pay compensation. We are not going to do any compensation.
“The Development Control must clear this area, chase out all these criminals. These are the kind of things you see that people commit crimes and then before you know it, they run down here for cover and people will be saying oh, FCT is not safe.
“It is not a question of giving them notice. There is no notice. You must chase them out now and clear the entire area,” he said.
The minister also assured the residents of FCT that the government would do everything possible to reduce the level of crime.
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