Wike Orders Demolition Of Illegal Shanties Along Kukwaba Rail Corridor

Dr. Nafisat Makinɗe, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the demolition of illegal shanties along the Kukwaba rail corridor near Karmajiji in Abuja, describing the settlement as a security threat and directing authorities to prevent any reoccupation.

The directive followed an emergency meeting of the FCT Security Committee on Friday at the minister’s official residence in Life Camp. Wike later led heads of security agencies on an inspection of the settlement. The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Press in the Office of the FCT Minister, Rabi Musa Umar.

Wike said the inspection highlighted the need for security agencies to complement intelligence gathering with regular field operations to identify and address emerging security threats before they escalate.

“We have seen where insecurity is breeding, and we cannot allow it to reach a stage where it becomes difficult to control. We have to stop it now. What I saw is a threat to the city. I couldn’t believe such a thing could exist here,” he said.

The minister said the illegal settlement had become a hideout for criminal elements operating within the city, making it difficult for security agencies to identify and apprehend suspects.

“People commit crimes and move in here; you don’t even know who they are. How do you identify and locate them? And this is inside the city. There is no way we can allow this. There is nothing emotional about it,” Wike said.

He directed the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, to work with the Department of Development Control to clear the illegal structures and ensure the rail corridor is not reoccupied.