FCTA Demolishes ‘Cashew Garden’ Shanties in Apo to Curb Crime

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has carried out the demolition of makeshift structures and shanties in the area popularly known as “Cashew Garden” in Apo, Abuja, as part of ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities and restore order in the nation’s capital. The operation, led by the FCTA’s Department of Development Control in collaboration with security agencies, targeted illegal settlements that authorities say had become a breeding ground for crime, drug abuse, and other unlawful activities.

Speaking during the exercise, the Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, explained that the action was taken after repeated warnings and engagement with the occupants. He said the site had long been identified as a notorious hideout for criminal elements, adding that it was also in violation of Abuja’s master plan. “We have been monitoring this location for a long time, and intelligence reports have consistently linked it to various security breaches, including theft, drug peddling, and other illegal dealings,” Galadima stated.

He noted that the demolition was part of the FCTA’s broader strategy to rid Abuja of unapproved structures and ensure that land use aligns with the capital city’s planning regulations. Galadima stressed that the administration would not allow any part of the FCT to become a safe haven for lawbreakers, warning that similar operations would be carried out in other areas where illegal structures threaten public safety.

The operation was conducted under heavy security, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other agencies on ground to prevent any breakdown of law and order. Some residents and traders who had set up stalls in the area were seen hurriedly salvaging their belongings before the bulldozers moved in.

FCTA officials said that despite earlier notices served to the illegal occupants, many had refused to vacate, forcing the administration to take decisive action. They added that the clean-up would pave the way for proper land use in the location, in line with Abuja’s development plan. “This place will now be monitored closely to prevent a resurgence of illegal activities,” an official confirmed.

The demolition comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, with authorities intensifying surveillance and enforcement operations to protect lives and property. The FCTA has in recent months embarked on a series of similar exercises, targeting illegal settlements that have become security threats or contributed to environmental degradation.

While some residents expressed support for the move, citing the need to improve security and sanitation, others appealed to the administration to provide alternative shelters and trading spaces for those displaced. Civil society advocates have also called on the FCTA to balance enforcement with humanitarian considerations to avoid worsening the city’s housing challenges.

The FCTA maintained that the exercise was a necessary step toward ensuring Abuja remains a safe, well-planned, and habitable city. Officials reiterated that the administration’s long-term goal is to eliminate criminal hideouts, decongest public spaces, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. They assured the public that similar clean-ups would continue until illegal settlements are fully removed and law and order are restored across the territory.

The FCTA emphasised that reclaiming the “Cashew Garden” area is not only about crime prevention but also about ensuring the environment is safe, clean, and conducive for legitimate social and economic activities. Authorities said they are working with relevant agencies to explore redevelopment options that will add value to the community while discouraging any future illegal encroachments.

Security operatives have also been tasked with maintaining a permanent presence in the cleared site to deter any attempt by illegal occupants to return. The administration believes that sustained enforcement, coupled with community cooperation, will be crucial in preventing a resurgence of the problems that led to the demolition in the first place.