FCT Minister Wike Launches Drone Surveillance, Forest Demolition Against Criminal Hideouts

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the clearance of Kobi Forest, identified as a notorious base for criminal activities and recent kidnappings around Guzape and Asokoro Village.

The demolition exercise, which commenced on Monday, comes in the aftermath of the September 15 abduction of two residents and the killing of a vigilante leader during a failed rescue attempt.

According to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the operation is aimed at dismantling hideouts used by criminals and restoring security in the area.

Muktar Galadima, Director of Development Control, who oversaw the exercise, explained that the operation involves removing trees, shanties, and illegal structures within the forest, with plans to recommend a police outpost on the cleared site.

“This place has turned into an ungoverned space and a safe haven for criminals. Clearing it will strip them of cover,” Galadima said.

To strengthen security, the FCTA has deployed drones for 24-hour aerial surveillance of forests and other vulnerable zones. Secretary of the FCT Command and Control Centre, Dr. Peter Olumiji, confirmed that the drones are already active in critical corridors and will work hand-in-hand with ground forces.

Residents expressed relief at the crackdown, describing years of unchecked kidnappings and attacks. “We used to move freely here, but for the past five years, it has been unsafe,” lamented Iliya Iwadagba, a resident of Kobi.

The forest clearance is part of a broader security and transport enforcement campaign in the capital. Over the past five months, the FCTA has seized and destroyed more than 700 unregistered vehicles and motorcycles linked to crimes, including the notorious “one chance” robberies.

Mandate Secretary for Transport, Chinedu Elechi, disclosed that the administration is also profiling commercial drivers, enforcing proper registration and vehicle painting, and setting up modern bus terminals under a public-private partnership model to sanitize urban transport.

“The FCTA cannot sit back while residents remain at risk from preventable threats,” Elechi stressed, noting that enforcement efforts will continue until full compliance is achieved.