Clearance of criminals hideouts to continue in FCT – Wike’s spokesman

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) declared on Sunday that the demolition of illegal shanties and parks used by criminals in the FCT will continue as an ongoing effort.

Last week, officials from the FCTA Development Control Department, Security Services, and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) carried out clearances in several locations deemed major security and aesthetic threats to the capital.

The operation, which included tearing down unauthorized structures, confiscating vehicles, and seizing weapons, will be followed by a mop-up phase to prevent the return of criminal activities, the FCTA confirmed.

Lere Olayinka, Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, stated that the demolition of Jazz and Blues Entertainment at Panorama Recreational Park in Wuse Zone 3 was part of this ongoing cleanup initiative.

He said: “The operation was a targeted public safety intervention based on credible intelligence, and not an act of persecution against anyone.

“Security agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), identified several locations and facilities that serve as a criminal hideouts and safe havens across the Federal Capital City (FCC).

“Notable in these areas were the Banana Green Belt, extending from the Central Mosque area towards the Zone 3 and Zone 1 of Wuse District, including Area 10 corridor.

“In these areas, innocent citizens are assaulted by assailants who then run to seeks refuge within the surrounding Banana Green Belt/vegetation cover to escape arrest.

“The intelligence obtained and verified through several surveillance and undercover investigations of these locations, amongst which was the Jazz and Blues Entertainment at Panorama Recreational Park, Wuse Zone 3, was that a segment of the park containing shanties and batchers had evidence of sustained criminal activity tied to organized networks operating within the FCT.

“Thus, in accordance with Abuja’s Development Control Regulations and public safety protocols, the FCTA, with other security agencies commenced a city-wide cleanup exercise of all identified criminal hideouts across the FCC on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, so as to remove these criminal hideouts, and restore sanity and security to the FCC. A segment of the Jazz and Blues Entertainment at Panorama Recreational Park, Wuse Zone 3, which housed criminal activities was among the locations visited.

“Contrary to claims of abrupt action, the FCTA Department of Development Control issued several Contravention Notices to the Park’s Management prior to the exercise carried out on the August 6, 2025.

“In February 2024, a formal notice was issued to inform the park operator of the identified infractions. This was followedby three formal notices between October 2024 and June 2025, and a final eviction order dated July 25, 2025.

“However, these Contravention Notices issued by the FCTA were completely ignored.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the FCTA wishes to state that the main facilities/activities within the park (i.e. the football field, its viewing platforms, the Gymnasium area, and several other facilities) were unaffected and remain functional following the removal of these criminal elements from the park.

“While the FCTA acknowledges and respects the military service of Air Commodore Balogun, it reiterates that national service is not a license for any individual to harbour criminal elements/activities, and endanger the general public.

“Not minding any orchestrated media reports, the FCTA will continue with the city-wide cleanup exercise in the coming weeks and this shall be extended to other Districts within the FCC, in order to achieve the administration’s goal of building a city where its residents will be safe to live, work and recreate.”

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