The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has revealed plans to embark on massive demolition of illegal structures and shanties across Abuja in the coming days.

This is even as it has began the demolition of shanties and illegal structures in Jahi District on Wednesday.

The director, Development Control, FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima, noted that aside restoring the master plan, the exercise was also to improve serenity and security in the capital city.

 “To a large extent, what we are doing now is enhancing the security architecture of the FCT and enhancing the architectural quality of the city,” Galadima said.

“This is why we are removing shanties, which to a large extent will improve the serenity of the capital city.”

Galadima explained that the shanties in Jahi District were erected on a proposed arterial corridor beginning from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Ring Road.

He said the department would consult with relevant stakeholders on what needed to be done in the area before the main road goes into operation.

The director added that the department had continually sensitised settlers against erecting shanties in unauthorised locations.

Galadima advised occupants of shanties across Abuja to pack their valuables and appealed to residents to report any emerging shanties in any location to relevant authorities.

The secretary, Command and Control Unit, Department of Security Services, FCTA,  Peter Olumuji, said social vices were rampant in shanties.

He said that “strangler”, equipment used by “one-chance” criminals who rob and push passengers out of moving vehicles could be readily found in the shanties.

“Once they use this to strangle a person, there is no way the person will survive and if he or she survives, any item he or she is holding will drop,” he said.

He stressed that the clean-up in Jahi would curb insecurity between the Gwarinpa Housing Estate and the Mabushi area.

Olumuji added that the cashew plantation in the area was also removed because the plantation served as a haven for criminals.