The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken a bold step to tackle crime and improve security across Abuja by forming a Special Task Force to target criminal hideouts. The move, which comes with a census of undeveloped plots, is part of a broader strategy to restore safety and order in Nigeria’s capital city.
The Director of the Department of Security Services, FCT Administration, Mr. Adamu Gwary, disclosed the initiative during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. He described the effort as a direct response to rising criminal activities in abandoned properties and undeveloped lands across Abuja.
Clearing Criminal Hideouts
Speaking on the scope of the operation, Gwary explained that the task force would focus on uncompleted buildings, abandoned plots, and other locations identified as hotbeds for criminal activities.
“These areas have become havens for miscreants who engage in vandalising government assets and terrorising residents,” Gwary stated.
He revealed that the FCT Security Committee had conducted a comprehensive review, pinpointing key areas requiring urgent attention. The Commissioner of Police in the FCT has been instructed to collaborate with security agencies to assemble a formidable task team.
“In the next two to three weeks, there will be strategic efforts to clear all criminal hideouts in the FCT,” Gwary assured.
Financial Backing and Implementation
The task force’s operations will extend beyond clearing Pantaker markets—informal scrap trading hubs—to other criminal hotspots identified through intelligence gathering. A financial plan has already been presented to Minister Wike to support the initiative.
The aim is not just to eliminate hideouts but to ensure that criminals are denied safe spaces altogether, Gwary emphasized. “This will protect residents from attacks and safeguard infrastructure from vandalism,” he said.
Revoking Undeveloped Plots
As part of the cleanup, the FCT Administration’s Land Department has commenced a census of undeveloped plots of land. Gwary revealed that this exercise follows a stern warning from the minister to landowners.
“Owners of undeveloped plots must develop their land or risk having their allocations revoked,” he declared.
The census will allow authorities to identify plots that have become overgrown and used by criminals as hideouts. Gwary expressed confidence that reclaiming these spaces would significantly enhance security in Abuja.
Focus on Bridges and Strategic Locations
Another key directive is to secure under-bridge areas across the FCT, which have become notorious for harboring miscreants. Wike has instructed the acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to submit a detailed proposal on how to secure these spaces.
“The idea is to deny miscreants access to locations such as under-bridges, which they often use as hideouts,” Gwary explained.
A Broader Vision for Abuja’s Security
Minister Wike’s initiative is part of a larger vision to transform Abuja into a safer and more livable city. Since assuming office, he has been vocal about the need to address security challenges, infrastructure decay, and urban planning issues.
This latest move aligns with Wike’s earlier promises to revamp the FCT’s security architecture and enforce compliance with development regulations. During his inaugural speech, he declared his commitment to ensuring that Abuja becomes a model city, free from crime and urban neglect.
However, some stakeholders have raised concerns about the implementation of the policy, particularly regarding the revocation of undeveloped plots. Critics argue that a more consultative approach with landowners would be more effective.
With the task force set to begin operations within weeks, Abuja residents are watching closely to see how the initiative unfolds. Security experts have also highlighted the importance of sustained enforcement to ensure long-term results.
The stakes are high for Wike, whose tenure as FCT Minister is being closely scrutinized. If successful, the initiative could set a precedent for other states grappling with similar challenges.
