The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sustained its ongoing demolition of illegal structures, markets as well as shanties built on roads and rail corridors in Abuja.

This is as the joint task team comprising FCTA Senior officials, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), Directorate of Road Traffic Services, and Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), on Friday stormed the rail corridor in Gwarinpa area of Abuja unannounced to commence demolition of shanties, market and batchers defacing the satellite town, arresting criminals too in the process.

Speaking on behalf of the administration, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the Minister of FCT, Comrade Ikharo Attah immediately after the cleanup exercise in Gwarimpa said the shanties were not only cleared but also burnt to ashes to prevent a comeback of the illegal structures and market.

He said: “We are here for several reasons, the first one is that there have been a series of complaints over this place.

“Secondly, the issue of city Sanitation is a problem here and general issues of insecurity here. This is the Hayari kasua market we cleared it last year and this year we have come again to clear it because the traders returned.

“The Police Commissioner, Sunday Babaji and Police DPO in Gwarimpa have gotten reports of criminal activities going on here, residents have complained very bitterly of persons trying to hide here as cover to rob neighbourhoods and that has been very alarming.

“Today, some arrests were made of people carrying illicit drugs and were arrested by the NDLEA of the Command and Control JTF team under the CP of FCT and the DC Bernard Iwe.

“The Police also arrested three suspected criminals and the NDLEA arrested two people peddling drugs. This is a big task, but we are not given up. We will keep coming until they stop coming. We came under the rain for the enforcement,” he explained.

Responding to a question on why the land was not put to its original use, Attah said, “The land belongs to FCT Administration and was designed as a transit part connecting the Kubwa outer northern road, that it has not been awarded does not mean that people should encroach on it and build offensive market, batchers and shanties that serve as a criminal hideout.

“The park and recreation are aware of it, and the police had advised that the administration should build a fence around it. To keep out intruders.”

When questioned on the issue of sustainability, he said, “last year, we cleared this place, and we are here today, we will keep coming until the criminals and those breaking the laws learn to stop seized to come back. Gwarimpa will take us up to a week.

“Gwarimpa will take us one week, Kuje is still a work in progress and Npape is beckoning, Airport road is a constant place of operation and everywhere around the city is calling for clean up.”

Meanwhile, traders were seen salvaging their wares as motorcyclists were making brisk business, while some traders were in tears.