By Stanley Onyekwere
Some irate protesters mainly artisans yesterday stormed the premises of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Wuse, Abuja, over alleged demolition of mechanic village in Kubwa, by the officials of the Department of Development Control of the AMMC.
It was gathered that the protesters in the early hours of Monday, in their failed attempt to wreck havoc on the AMMC building, had barricaded major roads leading to the place, thereby creating a chaotic atmosphere as people scampered for safety.
However, the seemingly violent protesters were dispersed, following the intervention of security operatives attached to the Joint Task Team of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on City Sanitation, who swiftly responded to distress calls for reinforcement of the security presence in the area.
Reacting to the incident, Director of the Department of Development, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, told newsmen that the workers in the building were going about their official assignments when the protesters invaded the premises.
Galadima disclosed that no fewer than 19 of the protesters were arrested for the violent disruption of peace in the area.
He said: “We were having a meeting in a conference hall, when we heard some noises. We decided to come and see what was happening and I saw some people with protest placards.
“Some of the people were talking about Kubwa mechanic village where they own shops in the village, but were demolished by Development Control.
“But what proof do they have that they have allocations inside the area.”
Galadima noted that the sponsors of the protest built what they called a mechanic village inside someone’s property, adding that Development Control ordered the demolition of the village.
He added that beyond building on illegal property, the action became necessary following a series of complaints of encroachment in the particular space by the rightful owners.
The director, who described the protest as “simply thuggery”, added that the department would recommend the prosecution of the culprit.
“This is a breach of peace, and they should be prosecuted.
“We are also going to find out who among our officers gave out the area for the development of a mechanic village. The officers involved must be dealt with accordingly”, he stated.
Also, the Secretary, FCTA’s Command and Control, Dr Peter Olumuji, recalled that the task force was out on enforcement duty when the distress call came in from development control over the protest.
“We abandoned what we were doing and dash to the scene immediately and on getting here, we saw the protesters attempting to vandalise the premises, vehicles, and assault development control officers.
“We have been able to arrest 19 of them and will be taken to Utako Police Division for proper investigation and possible prosecution,” he added.
