FCTA Demolishes Illegal “Cashew Garden” Settlement in Apo Over Security Concerns

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished illegal structures and shanties popularly known as “Cashew Garden” in the Apo Cadastral Zone E27 of Abuja, as part of an ongoing city-wide sanitation and security operation.

Leading the exercise on Tuesday, the Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, said the clearance was aimed at removing criminal hideouts and restoring order to the area.

“You recall that we were at Zone 3, Wuse and UTC for similar exercises since the commencement of the operation as directed by the FCT Security Committee. Today, we are in Apo, dislodging shanties and miscreants posing security threats to residents,” Galadima stated.

According to him, the area, designated for residential purposes, had been illegally occupied by about 200 people without government approval. He explained that some land allottees had failed to develop their plots within the stipulated time and instead allowed squatters to move in.

Galadima warned that such plots risk being repossessed by the FCTA, saying: “All those who own plots here and allow illegal occupation will lose their allocations, and the land will revert to the FCT Administration.”

Road Corridor and Urban Planning Concerns
He revealed that the site lies along a defined road corridor, identified as the S20 extension of Oladipo Diya Road, which connects FHA Apo to Guzape 2. The existence of unauthorized structures, he said, was in clear violation of Abuja’s master plan.

Occupants Deny Criminal Links
The Chairman of the settlement, Mr. Steven Obiozo, claimed that the 200 residents were law-abiding and that their stay had been authorized by the plot owner. He said most occupants operated small shops selling food, drinks, and provisions.

However, Galadima maintained that regardless of their activities, the occupation remained illegal without FCTA approval.

Security Agencies Cite Criminal Activities
Mr. Adamu Gwary, Director of the Security Services Department, FCTA, said the demolition was part of a broader crackdown on criminal elements across the territory. Represented by the Secretary of Command and Control, Dr. Peter Olumuji, he alleged that some of the evicted residents were involved in illicit drug activities.

“The operation is making the territory increasingly uncomfortable for individuals with criminal tendencies. We will continue to ensure that such elements have no safe haven in the capital city,” Gwary said.

The FCTA has pledged to extend similar operations to other parts of Abuja, targeting illegal settlements and shanties that pose security and environmental risks.