By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As mob attack two journalists
FCTA Taskforce yesterday demolished shanties and roadside shops over encroachment and traffic congestion and power installations along Kubwa and Deidei road side in Bwari Area Council in Abuja.
Structures affected in the demolition exercise were kiosks, shanties and makeshift extensions attached to perimeter fence of Deidei livestock and properties belonging to traders causing environmental and security challenges in the area.
However, the demolition exercise elicited a mop action as frustrated traders attacked and pelted journalists and the Task force team with stones.
Two journalists sustained minor injuries, while the Taskforce team took to their heels before coming to repel the attackers with tear gas.
The Special Assistant to the FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah, told journalists that the demolition was carried out to free the traffic congestion on the axis by getting rid of shanties along the major road corridors, which also constitutes security threat to road users and other residents.
Attah said that the Deidei road axis is about the issue of removing the entirety of illegalities around the place particularly the service lane of the Zuba-Kubwa Expressway is fully covered, and the other main lane is also blocked road connecting down to Zuba axis is also blocked as well as the Livestock market area is completely blocked.
He said, “We came out for a general clean up in Kubwa, Deidei and Zuba axis. So we are removing illegalities, so as to free Deidei from traffic congestion and security threats.”
“We have been able to do very sufficient work in Deidei and Kubwa. We know that for sure that some criminal elements will want to resist that, but as a government we pushed them back, minor injuries sustained, and we are good to go.
“One or two persons were injured but largely, the area is calm now, and those who are criminal elements, who tried to stop the enforcement were dispersed, and work continued”.
A Livestock dealer at Deidei, Murtala Idris who was affected expressed sadness over the exercise and said it was carried out without due notice.
“We are not happy because it is the same government through the management of the International Livestock Market who gave us the permission to build shops for our livestock activities there, and they generate revenue from us.”
“And we were not adequately informed about the exercise, even though they were the ones that gave permitted us to build shops here, and so there is no expectation that they will just come and demolish everything without due notice, that is why I’m not happy.
“Now, I have been displaced, but if the government had notified me to remove my shop, I would have followed the rules, and removed it myself”.
