The Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA), has demolished illegal structures and shanties, popularly called, “Cashew Garden” in Apo Cadastral Zone E27, Abuja.
Director of Development Control, TPL Mukhtar Galadima, who led the operation in Abuja Tuesday, told journalists during the exercise that the move was to rid the city of criminal elements and miscreants.
“You recall that we were at Zone 3, Wuse and UTC for similar exercises since the commencement of the operation as directed by the FCT Security Committee.
‘Today we are in Apo, dislodging shanties and miscreants, posing security threats to residents of the area,” he said.
The chairman of the garden, Mr Steven Obiozo, said the 200 occupants were not criminals, adding that the area was given to them to occupy by the owner of the plot.
Obiozo said the occupants built small tents and shops and were mainly selling provisions, food, beer and soft drinks.
Galadima insisted that their occupation of the area and operations was without government authorisation and as such, illegal.
He added that the FCTA would revoke the land allocation for harboring miscreants, who go about the city committing crimes.
Galadima said that the area was designated for residential purposes, adding that allocations were made but the allottees failed to develop their plot within the stipulated time.
“So as has been directed by the FCT Security Committee, we are going to take over the area; we are going to possess it,” he said.
He said the area had been planned with a clearly defined road corridor demarcated by a deep trench.
“The road is what we call the S20, extension of Oladipo Diya that goes through FHA Apo, up to Guzape 2.
“So the road is clearly defined and the plots are also defined.
“So we have concluded, based on what we have seen, that all those people that own plots here and allow these people to erect illegal structures will lose the allocations and be reverted to the FCTA,” he said.