The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed security agencies to immediately shut down illegal mining sites and unauthorized Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across Abuja, citing significant security threats to the nation’s capital.
The decision followed a high-level FCT Security Council meeting and chaired by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale, said the Minister had issued firm directives to address growing security challenges posed by unregulated activities within the capital.
“The issue of illegal mining springing up around the city has been a serious concern,” said CP Adewale. “The Honourable Minister has directed that all such illegal mining operations be shut down immediately due to their security implications.”
He also raised alarms about unapproved IDP camps that have emerged within the FCT, warning that these settlements are not officially recognized and pose further risks to public safety.
“We’ve discovered people forming unauthorized IDP camps, which are not permitted in the FCT. These locations have been identified, and individuals residing there will be properly profiled. Those without legitimate reasons to remain in the territory will be relocated to their original communities,” the police commissioner added.
As part of broader security efforts, the FCTA will also begin a clampdown on motorists violating traffic laws, particularly those driving with covered number plates or against traffic flow.
“Driving against traffic is not just an offence but a life-threatening act. A total clampdown has been ordered on such violators, and they will be documented accordingly,” CP Adewale stated.
In a related development, he confirmed that the recent clashes between farmers and herders in the Gwagwalada Area Council had been peacefully resolved. “Stakeholders have signed a peace accord, which will be cascaded to all community levels to ensure lasting harmony,” he noted.
He further revealed that the 273 destitute persons arrested during recent clearance operations were undergoing profiling at the Bwari Rehabilitation Centre as part of ongoing efforts to sanitize the territory.
