The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of illegal shanties along the Kukwaba rail corridor near Karmajiji, describing the area as a growing security threat in the heart of Abuja.
The directive followed an emergency security meeting held on Friday at the Minister’s official residence in Life Camp. After the meeting, Wike led top security chiefs on an inspection of the area to assess the situation first-hand.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister said authorities could no longer ignore what he described as a dangerous breeding ground for crime.
“We have seen where insecurity is growing, and we cannot wait until it becomes too difficult to control. We have to act now. What I saw is a threat to the city. I couldn’t believe such a place could exist right inside Abuja,” Wike said.
He stressed that security decisions should be based on intelligence gathered on the ground rather than discussions held only in offices.
According to him, many of the makeshift structures have become safe havens for criminals who carry out attacks and disappear without leaving a trace.
“People commit crimes and hide here. You don’t even know who they are or how to find them. This is happening inside the city, and we cannot allow it to continue. There is nothing sentimental about this. It would be irresponsible to leave it as it is,” he added.
Following the inspection, Wike directed the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, to work with the Department of Development Control to clear the illegal settlement completely.
He also ordered security agencies to ensure that no one returns to occupy the rail corridor after the demolition, saying the move is necessary to restore safety and protect residents of the nation’s capital.
