By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory ministerial task force team has demolished unplanned structures on the Abuja rail corridor.
This is in continuation of its operation ‘keep Abuja free of criminals’ hideout’ in line with the administration’s commitment to sustaining the status of a Federal Capital City.
The exercise was carried out in a notorious spot, Popularly called Ruga, behind National Park and National Military Cemetery, off Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport road.
During the operations most of the shanties were destroyed, comprising of sacks, planks and zink scraps hitherto on the Abuja rail corridors.
The team, ‘Operation Sweep’ headed by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, had started the ongoing special operation, following the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to ensure that the city centre is being rid of every form of nuisances and criminality.
On his part, the director, FCT Security Services Department, Adamu Gwari, described Ruga settlement as where there are several shanties and other illegal structures on peoples’ plots of land.
Gwari, represented by Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, FCT Command and Control Centre, said it has been established overtime that he illegal structures harboured criminal elements and all unauthorised persons, who go into activities that are abominable to the law of the land.
He said the site was close to the rail corridors, which must always be made safer for those using the Abuja Metro line, hence the decision to remove the illegal structures.
Gwari said, “You know we have had the incidences of vandalism of the rail tracks, so coming here to remove this unplanned settlement and shanties would improve security of the rail corridor.
“The operation is a holistic one that covers different activities in the city, and we have four sectors covering different parts of the city simultaneously.”
