FCTA Evicts Illegal Occupants, Traders from UTC Area in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has carried out a clearance operation to remove illegal occupants, roadside traders, and makeshift structures around the UTC area in Abuja, in a renewed effort to restore order, enhance security, and improve the city’s environmental standards.

The exercise, which took place under the supervision of the FCTA Department of Development Control and other relevant agencies, targeted shanties, kiosks, and unapproved stalls that had sprung up over time in violation of Abuja’s urban planning regulations.

Officials said the operation was necessary due to the rising concerns over congestion, sanitation, and security risks posed by the unregulated activities in the area. According to the Director of Development Control, the makeshift structures and street trading had not only obstructed pedestrian walkways and road corridors but also encouraged criminal hideouts, contributing to petty crimes in the city centre. He emphasised that the clearance aligns with the FCTA’s mandate to maintain the Abuja Master Plan, which prohibits unplanned developments in strategic business and residential zones.

The task force, made up of officials from Development Control, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), and security agencies, dismantled kiosks, tents, and temporary shelters erected without approval. Traders and squatters were seen hurriedly packing their belongings as the enforcement team moved in. Many of them claimed they had operated in the area for years and pleaded for the government to provide alternative locations where they could continue their businesses without violating city regulations.

An FCTA spokesperson explained that the administration had issued several warnings and served notices to the affected persons before embarking on the clearance. He stated that the exercise was not intended to deprive people of their means of livelihood but to ensure compliance with environmental and urban planning laws that safeguard the capital’s image as a planned city. He added that the UTC area, being a busy commercial hub, must maintain orderly development and adequate space for vehicular and human movement.

Some residents of the area expressed support for the exercise, noting that the illegal structures had become an eyesore and often caused traffic obstruction. They also said the concentration of unregulated stalls in the area had worsened waste disposal problems, with heaps of refuse frequently left unattended. Others, however, urged the government to balance enforcement with compassion by providing affordable trading spaces for displaced vendors.

The FCTA has in recent months intensified its citywide campaign to clear illegal developments, with similar exercises carried out in Garki, Wuse, Nyanya, and other parts of the metropolis. Authorities have repeatedly stated that restoring Abuja’s original design is essential for safety, aesthetics, and functionality, especially as the city’s population continues to grow.

While the UTC clearance is expected to ease congestion and improve environmental cleanliness in the area, the displaced traders are calling on the government to expedite plans for designated markets where they can operate legally. The FCTA maintains that such alternatives are in the works but insists that enforcement against illegal occupation will continue without compromise.

The FCTA reiterated that its enforcement strategy is part of a broader, long-term urban renewal plan aimed at making Abuja safer, cleaner, and more attractive for residents, investors, and visitors. Officials maintained that while the administration will not tolerate illegal developments, it remains open to engaging with stakeholders to find sustainable solutions that balance economic activity with proper city planning.

As the cleared UTC area begins to return to its intended layout, the administration has deployed monitoring teams to prevent a resurgence of unapproved structures. Authorities insist that continuous enforcement, combined with the development of designated trading spaces, will be key to maintaining the gains of the clean-up and preserving Abuja’s image as a well-organised capital city.

For now, the UTC area stands cleared of its once-bustling but unregulated commercial activities, with officials warning that any attempt to return and rebuild without approval will be met with swift enforcement.