By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has intensified its security clampdown in Abuja, with the relaunch and expansion of “Operation Sweep Abuja,” beyond the city centre to satellite communities and identified criminal hideouts in the suburbs.
The renewed phase of the inter-agency operation brings together the Police, military, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other paramilitary formations, with authorities saying it will run indefinitely as part of efforts to respond to evolving criminal patterns across the territory.
Speaking at the relaunch, FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, said the operation was being reinforced to confront emerging threats and ensure tighter coordination among security agencies operating within the FCT.
“We are relaunching Operation Sweep Abuja to ensure that the FCT is free from miscreants. Officers must be ready, what is due to you, I will ensure you get it. This will strengthen synergy among the military, para-military, and other security agencies so that together we can confront these threats and bring about peace and security within and around the FCT.”
He stressed that the exercise was not targeted at any group or identity, but strictly at criminal elements, insisting that cooperation among security agencies remained central to its success.
“There must be synergy among the agencies to work together and achieve meaningful results. There should be one agenda.
“Crime has no tribe, has no religion, and has no culture. It affects each and every one of us. Our mandate is to face criminals and criminality at whatever form and level.”
FCTA Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, said the operation had the full backing of the administration, noting that it was designed to sustain security across the territory, particularly as political and social activities increase.
He said priority areas included coverage for the upcoming Sallah celebrations and maintaining stability as political activities begin to build ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“You are also aware that political activities ahead of the 2027 general election are beginning to pick up. The operation is therefore targeted at ensuring that all activities in the FCT go on smoothly,” he said, adding that special security arrangements would also be in place for the Sallah period.
He further noted that “beyond the political activities leading to 2027, the goal is to rid the FCT of all forms of crime and criminality.”
Speaking on the operational scope, Secretary of the FCTA Command and Control Centre, Peter Olumuji, said enforcement had moved into satellite towns and identified black spots where illegal settlements and abandoned structures were allegedly being used as criminal hideouts.
He said the exercise, carried out in areas such as Wassa, Karasana, Kugbo, Jikwoyi and Karshi, was based on intelligence reports and long-standing enforcement notices.
“When you look at this critically, Development Control had already marked this place since February 25 this year. Enough notice was given to residents to vacate the area,” he stated.
Olumuji added that the aim was to dismantle structures and settlements being used for criminal activity, stressing that the operation was no longer limited to the city centre.
“We have received a lot of intelligence reports about crime and criminality in these areas. Some of these locations have served as safe havens for criminal elements,” he said.
He further stated, “The purpose of this removal is to ensure that the security of the FCT is sustained and residents remain safe at all times. That is why we are taking proactive steps,” while noting that enforcement would continue across identified hotspots.
Also speaking, Head of Enforcement at the Social Development Secretariat, Ukachi Adebayo, said over 800 destitute persons had been evacuated from different parts of Abuja under the operation and taken for profiling and rehabilitation.
Adebayo said, “After evacuating them, we profile them and take them to our centre where we care for and train them before reintegrating them back into society.”
