The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday raided criminal hideouts in Gwarimpa Ql Estate, arresting 49 suspects.
The suspected criminals were arrested during the ongoing demolition exercise at Yan Kasuwa on 6th Avenue Gwarimpa Estate.
Chairman, Task Team on City Sanitation, Comrade Ikharo Attah, who led the operation, said the 49 suspected criminal stopped passerby and dispossessed them of their belongings at gun point after the joint team had finished its operation.
According to him, “Most of the criminals took advantage of the cleanup exercise and went on looting spree, dispossessing passerby of their belongings with guns and knives .
“This shows why we are demolishing Illegal structures, there are illegal structures, shanties and fence almost everywhere in Gwarimpa Estate, these are criminal hideouts which we will not allow to stay”.
Attah, regretted the increasing shanties in the Federal Capital Territory and warned that the present administration under the minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello would not allow illegality to become the order of the day.
The Task Team chairman condemned the act of post-demolition looting and assault on innocent residents.
Mohammed Awwal an Immigration officer, one of the victims who spoke with newmen said, they forcefully collected my mobile phone and food stuff with cash in the vehicle while I was driving to pass through this place. I have identified one among those arrested”
The 49 suspects who have turned the demolition exercise into looting spree have been taken to Efab Police station, Galadimawa under Gwarimpa Estate for more interrogation and prosecution.
