By Daniel Tyokua
There was apprehension on Wednesday when the Federal Capital Territory Administration demolition team moved into Utako village with bulldozers and begun dismantling of illegal structures.
Trouble started when the residents attempted to stop the scavengers from carrying their belongings as demolition was in progress.
Despite the heavy presence of security operatives the scavengers were seen snatching different materials from their lawful owners who obviously were overwhelmed by the pains of the demolition.
The Director, Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima said the clean up exercise was not just a routine one, but a special operation to remove all illegal structures and pave way for the original allottees to regain their land.
He said that quit notice had been given to the squatters long ago to enable them safely relocate.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah said the operation was also targeted at addressing perennial traffic and reported criminal activities in the area.
Attah who also doused the tension generated over speculation that the homes of the indigenous people within the village would be demolished, assured that only illegal structures on the land allocated to the FCT Police Command was earmarked for demolition.
He also added that the clean up exercise would help to restore the environmental sanitation and aesthetic of the Utako District.
“We are only removing the illegal shanties to reclaim the land for the original allottees. We are not demolishing the houses of indigenous people.
“The clean up will also help to address the disturbing traffic gridlock and also criminal activities of miscreants in the place” Attah said.
