By Stanley Onyekwere
Despite heated public outcry trailing the recent demolition of illegal structures, in Lungu village, Kafe District, Abuja, the Department of Development Control, of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has vowed to complete the exercise in the area; and by extension other local settlements in the Territory.
The Department, in charge of maintaining the structural sanity in the nation’s capital, also vowed to return back to the site, to conclude the demolition in order to hand over the land to Holyfield Estate Developers, who legitimately own the land, having obtained all necessary documentations.
The Director of Development Control, Mallam Yahaya Yusuf, disclosed this position while briefing newsmen at the end of reconciliation meeting with the original inhabitants in Abuja.
It would be recalled that barely a fortnight ago, a demolition exercise embarked upon by the Department in the village, sparked off violent protests, leading to a blockade of the ever-busy Zuba/Kubwa/Abuja City Express road, resulting in damage of public facilities.
The incident followed a wide spread rumour of the death of mother and her child during the exercise in the area.
However, Yusuf said that neither the members of original inhabitants nor the Police investigation proved that any child was killed in the course of the demolition exercise.
He added that the rumour which caused the uproar and blockage of Kubwa- Zuba expressway for over four hours to mischievous people, who were paused at discrediting the government.
He therefore advised the Gbagi community to always seek for legitimate way of expressing their grievances, instead of causing mayhem and disrupting the existing peace and tranquility in the society.
Meanwhile, the President and National Coordinator, Greater Gbagi Development Initiative, Prince Gbaiza Gimba, commenting on the outcome of the meeting with the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and other FCT Security agencies, said they have thrashed out grey areas regarding the cases of maltreatment of original inhabitants, promising to support the FCT Administration in sanitising the city of illegal structures.
He confirmed the stand of the Director of Development Control that demolition exercise in FCT will continue in Lungu village and other illegal settlements, but will be done with human face.
Gimba, also confirmed the arrest of one of its members who allegedly was linked with peddling the said rumuor of a death during the demolition exercise by Development Control, on 19th June, 2014.
Peoples Daily reports that the FCTA said the two alleged masterminds; Mr. Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf and the Chief of Lungu, Mr. Ezekiel Sanya Zakka, would be arraigned in court and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land.
The two men were nabbed at separate locations over the weekend for their roles in peddling the false rumour of death and incitement that led to the violent protests and blockade of the ever-busy Kubwa Express road.
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