Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister Nyesom Wike has directed the formation of a Special Task Force to tackle criminal activities in abandoned plots, uncompleted buildings, and other notorious hideouts across Abuja. This decisive action shows Wike’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the nation’s capital.
Adamu Gwary, Director of the Department of Security Services for the FCT Administration, revealed the development during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. Gwary noted that the initiative aims to clamp down on miscreants responsible for vandalizing government assets and endangering residents’ safety.
According to Gwary, the FCT Security Committee has pinpointed several hotspots where criminal activities thrive. He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police has been tasked with coordinating efforts to eliminate these threats. “The Commissioner of Police in the FCT has been mandated to work with his colleagues to form a task team to address this issue,” Gwary confirmed.
The task team, he added, has already submitted a financial proposal to the minister, covering the operations that will target not only the infamous Pantaker markets but also other crime-prone areas identified through intelligence reports. “In the next two to three weeks, there will be strategic efforts to clear all criminal hideouts in the FCT, including uncompleted buildings, abandoned plots of land, and other locations used by criminals,” Gwary assured.
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This operation aims to deprive criminals of safe havens and protect residents from attacks and infrastructure vandalism. Gwary also highlighted the ongoing census by the FCTA Land Department to identify undeveloped plots, following the minister’s directive. Minister Wike has warned landowners to develop their properties or face the revocation of their allocations, a move aimed at addressing security risks posed by overgrown and neglected lands.
In addition to tackling land-related security challenges, the acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has been directed to implement measures to secure under-bridge areas. “The minister has instructed the FCDA to make a detailed proposal on securing all under-bridges in the territory to deny miscreants access to these locations,” Gwary noted.
This initiative is part of Minister Wike’s comprehensive plan to create a safer, more secure environment for all residents of Abuja. With these strategic efforts underway, the FCT is poised for a significant transformation in its fight against crime.
