The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed the government’s resolve to demolish shanties across Abuja, describing them as illegal structures that compromise the city’s security. He argued that such settlements not only distort the city’s master plan but also serve as hideouts for criminals involved in kidnapping, robbery, and other crimes.
Wike, who stressed that the government will not compensate illegal occupants and warned that security considerations must take precedence, maintained that criminals often take advantage of unplanned settlements to evade detection, making their removal necessary for the safety of residents.
The minister recalled that in March 2025, his administration ordered the demolition of buildings obstructing road construction in Gishiri, Katampe, noting that residents had been given a three-month grace period to vacate but ignored repeated warnings.
