FCTA destroys an illegal market and a haven for criminal activity in Abuja.

The market was situated in Abuja's Asokoro Extension on Hassan Musa Katsina Street, close to Kpaduma II. The unlawful market was becoming a hazard to the locals and bystanders, according to Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, Director of the Department of Development Control, who spoke after the demolition.

Galadima continued by saying that despite the FCT Administration's best attempts to keep the region clean, it had become a refuge for criminal activity. The Administration would permit it to continue, he continued, adding that the criminal activity taking place in the region was degrading the visual qualities of the surrounding area.

He claimed the area needed to be removed because it posed a security risk and was also being used as a hideout by criminals, drug dealers, and other troublemakers.

"The operation will assist us in getting rid of the drug dealers and hoodlums who have taken over the area.

"We had destroyed the building about three times, but the annoyances rebuilt and carried on.

"This time, the destroyed market will stay destroyed. We must sanitize the area and improve the aesthetic appeal of the surroundings.

"This is one of the areas we are starting the exercise," he added. "It is also part of the current administration's policy of sanitizing the city."

Additionally, Mr. Peter Olumuji, Secretary of FCTA Command and Control, stated that steps would be taken to secure the safety of the locals. Mr. Bitrus Yakubu, the village chief of Kpaduma, praised the FCT Administration for saving them and purging the neighborhood of hoodlums.
"The location has been there for more than twenty years, but it was destroyed today for our own safety.

Bitrus expressed his community's happiness at the land being permanently cleansed.