A Joint Task Force Team of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on City Sanitation arrested protesters at the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) premises in Wuse, Abuja. The protesters had gathered to express their discontent over the demolition of a Mechanic Village in Kubwa by officials of the AMMC Department of Development Control.
Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, the Director of the Department of Development Control, explained that the protesters disrupted the peace at the premises, leading to the arrest of 19 individuals. According to Galadima, the protesters claimed ownership of shops in the Kubwa mechanic village, which had been demolished by the Development Control.
Galadima questioned the legitimacy of the protesters’ claims, stating that they needed proof of allocations in the area. He revealed that the so-called mechanic village was built on someone else’s property, and its demolition was ordered due to illegal construction and numerous complaints of encroachment by the rightful owners.
Describing the protest as “simply thuggery,” Galadima emphasized the need for prosecution, asserting that it constituted a breach of peace. He also expressed the intention to investigate and take appropriate action against any officers who might have authorized the development of the mechanic village.
Dr. Peter Olumuji, the Secretary of FCTA’s Command and Control, added that the task force had been on enforcement duty when they received a distress call from Development Control about the protest. He noted that the protesters attempted to vandalize the premises and assault Development Control officers, leading to the arrest of 19 individuals for investigation and potential prosecution.
