Troops of the Army Headquarters Garrison, working alongside Operation SWEEP personnel, have launched a major clearance operation across parts of the Federal Capital Territory, targeting illegal shanties and unregulated structures suspected of harbouring criminal elements.
The operation, which took place at about 4:00 p.m. on August 23, 2026, covered Karshi, Jeje, Kurape and Nyanya areas of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
During the exercise, security personnel moved into identified locations and dismantled several makeshift settlements and structures believed to have been used as hiding places by criminals.
The raid forms part of intensified efforts by security agencies to deny criminal groups access to concealed locations within and around the nation’s capital, particularly areas considered vulnerable to criminal activities.
Security sources said the clearance operation was also aimed at strengthening surveillance and restoring effective security control in locations where informal settlements and abandoned structures could provide cover for illicit activities.
The exercise received the backing of community leaders, with the Mai-Anguwa of Nyanya commending the troops for their intervention.
The community leader also pledged continued cooperation with the Army Headquarters Garrison and other security agencies, particularly through the timely sharing of credible intelligence on suspicious movements and activities.
The latest operation underscores the growing emphasis on intelligence-driven security operations in Abuja, as authorities seek to prevent criminal networks from establishing footholds in poorly regulated settlements.
Security personnel are expected to maintain patrols and surveillance across the affected communities to prevent criminals from returning to the cleared locations.
The development also highlights the critical role of residents and traditional community leaders in supporting security agencies. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that prompt reporting of suspicious activities can help security forces detect emerging threats before they escalate.
With the clearance of the illegal structures, security agencies are expected to sustain operations in vulnerable parts of the FCT while strengthening collaboration with local communities to ensure that criminal elements do not reclaim the areas.
Source:@ZagazolaMakama
