The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced a crackdown on illegal occupants in Abuja, warning that anyone found unlawfully on government land will be evicted.
Speaking during his monthly ministerial press briefing on Monday, Wike stressed that poverty cannot be used as an excuse to commit crimes, including kidnapping, across the FCT. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring security in the capital city.
“Those claiming to be the owners of this land, why are you not developing it? We are going to make sure that all illegal occupants are thrown out. Security is key and paramount,” Wike said.
He further noted that no government can completely eradicate poverty, citing global examples, but insisted that criminality cannot be justified under any circumstance.
“All over the world, there are areas of poverty, but that does not give room to make people uncomfortable or commit kidnappings. No, we will not allow that. Let nobody use poverty as an excuse,” he added.
Wike warned that the government will not tolerate attitudes that rely solely on state intervention to resolve problems and reiterated that maintaining public safety is a non-negotiable priority.
