The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate shutdown of all illegal mining activities in and around the FCT. This directive follows the recent FCT Security Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Minister’s official residence in Life Camp, Abuja. The meeting, chaired by the Minister himself, focused on addressing growing security threats across the capital, and was followed by a media briefing delivered by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale.
Commissioner Adewale revealed that illegal mining sites have been springing up across the territory, posing significant security and environmental threats. He noted that Minister Wike gave a clear order to security agencies to shut down all such operations immediately and prevent their resurgence. He emphasized the potential dangers of these illegal activities and their link to broader criminal networks.
The committee’s discussions extended beyond illegal mining to include other pressing issues such as the growing number of street beggars, destitute individuals, illegal IDP camps, and makeshift shanties within the city. According to the Police Commissioner, the Minister has instructed a full and sustained operation to rid the FCT of these elements, which are seen as not only degrading the environment but also contributing to crime and social disorder. The administration is especially concerned about unauthorized IDP camps being used as cover for unregulated settlements and potential criminal activity. Commissioner Adewale reiterated that all such camps must be dismantled, and that individuals residing there without valid reasons would be identified, profiled, and relocated to their states or communities of origin.
In terms of traffic-related offenses, the FCT Security Committee noted a disturbing rise in reckless behavior on the roads, including driving against traffic, using vehicles with covered number plates, and operating without proper documentation or licensing. The Commissioner warned that anyone driving the wrong way on major roads is essentially on a suicide mission and that such actions will no longer be tolerated. As part of the wider clampdown, over 670 vehicles have already been impounded in the last four months for violations including illegal tinting, expired documents, and unauthorized commercial transport operations. Offenders involved in drug-related activities have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution.
The ongoing Operation Sweep initiative, which aims to clean up Abuja’s public spaces, has recorded significant results. So far, over 273 destitute individuals have been removed from the streets and relocated to the Social Development Secretariat Centre in Bwari. There, they are being housed, fed, and thoroughly profiled to determine their legal residency status within the FCT. According to the Commissioner, the goal of the exercise is not just to clean the city but to ensure that only those with legitimate reasons to be in Abuja remain within the territory.
Commissioner Adewale also provided an update on the recent conflict between farmers and herders in the Gwagwalada Area Council. He stated that the situation has been resolved following the signing of a peace accord by key stakeholders. Law enforcement agencies are still maintaining a presence in the area to build confidence and prevent any potential reprisals or further clashes.
In summary, the FCT Administration, under the leadership of Minister Wike, is intensifying efforts to enhance security, urban order, and the general quality of life in the capital. This includes shutting down illegal mining operations, removing street beggars, dismantling unauthorized settlements, cracking down on traffic violations, and addressing drug-related crimes. Residents are encouraged to cooperate with law enforcement and report any suspicious or illegal activities in their neighborhoods.
This renewed crackdown reflects the Minister’s firm resolve to restore discipline, safety, and dignity to Abuja’s public spaces, and to ensure that the city is managed according to global standards of law, order, and development.
