The Federal Capital Territory Administration has said it will sustain its onslaught on criminal hideouts and illegal shanties in Abuja, particularly in Area 1, Durumi Distrit, where the administration described security threats as “worrisome”.

The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister of Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, made this known in a statement on Monday, adding that illegal shanties in Area 1, Duru I, will be “cleared very soon.”

According to the statement, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has set up a Stakeholders Committee made up of heads of security agencies, FCTA officials, civil society organisations, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and others, in a bid to ensure safety of Abuja residents.

“The ongoing onslaught on criminal hideouts in Abuja will continue. High level criminal activities such as robbery, carjacking, drug peddling and other heinous crimes with its attendant security implications to law abiding FCT residents cannot be allowed to continue,” the statement partly read.

Olayinka noted that the security agencies had previously arrested over 120 miscreants in the area, recovered seven stolen vehicles, 79 motorcycles, and 155 ATM cards, in an operation that lasted over three hours months ago, adding however, that the criminals had regrouped, and the shanties were back after previously being cleared.

“Three months ago, when security agencies carried out an operation in Area 1, Durumi, over 120 miscreants were arrested. Among those arrested in the operation that lasted over three hours were drug peddlers, one-chance operators, carjackers, and armed robbers.

“Seven stolen vehicles, and 79 stolen motorcycles were recovered, while 155 ATM cards were recovered. These ATM cards were those snatched from victims of one-chance operators, using the settlement as their base.

“Then, some of the shanties in Area 1, Durumi, were cleared. But today, the shanties are back, and the criminals have regrouped, making the area uninhabitable for law-abiding Nigerians. Consequently, the FCTA is already clearing shanties in the City Centre, and those in Area 1, Durumi will be cleared very soon,” the statement read.

Olayinka also noted that some of the shanties and makeshift houses were built on lands allocated over 20 years ago, disallowing allotees and even government agencies from making use of the lands.