FCTA Demolishes Over 1,000 Illegal Structures in Karsana to Clear Path for Major Road Corridor
By Staff Reporter, August 26, 2025
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished over 1,000 illegal structures and shanties in Karsana, near Bunkoro District in Gwarimpa, Abuja, as part of a citywide sanitation initiative to clear a critical road corridor. The operation, conducted on Monday, August 25, 2025, targets unauthorized settlements obstructing the proposed Ring Road 3 (RR3) at its intersection with the N16 road near Map Global Estate, aiming to enhance urban development and security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Clearing the Way for Infrastructure
Led by the FCTA’s Department of Development Control, the demolition exercise razed makeshift shacks and temporary structures along a two-kilometer stretch of the RR3 corridor. Muktar Galadima, Director of Development Control, emphasized that the operation is part of a broader effort to reclaim strategic road corridors for infrastructure projects. “So far, we have cleared more than 1,000 shanties here, and the work is still ongoing because the stretch of the road is long and covered with illegal structures,” Galadima told reporters during the operation.
The FCTA’s Ministerial Taskforce on City Sanitation described the clearance as “necessary and overdue,” noting that the illegally occupied land was reserved for the RR3 project, with prior notices issued to squatters before the contract was awarded. The operation deliberately spared homes of indigenous communities, as confirmed by Galadima and the Department of Resettlement and Compensation, to avoid displacing local residents. “We have been intimated by the Department of Resettlement and Compensation that there are some indigenous communities on the corridor. That’s why we tried as much as possible not to interfere with their existence,” Galadima added.
Security Concerns Drive Action
Beyond facilitating road construction, the demolition aims to curb criminal activities linked to the shanties. The FCTA’s joint task force, comprising security agencies like the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, targeted “squatters and people of questionable character” residing in the area. Peter Olumuji, representing FCTA’s Security Services Director Adamu Gwary, highlighted the nexus between uncontrolled settlements and insecurity, noting that shanties near Map Global Estate have been a source of concern for residents due to reported criminal activities. No arrests were made during the operation, but the clearance is expected to enhance safety for nearby estates.
Part of a Broader Campaign
This demolition follows a pattern of FCTA efforts to address illegal structures across Abuja. In February 2024, the FCTA demolished over 15,000 unauthorized buildings in Gwarinpa obstructing the N16 road corridor, displacing thousands but enabling road construction. Similar operations have targeted areas like Karmo, Jahi, and Lugbe, often citing violations of the Abuja Master Plan and security risks posed by unapproved settlements. The Karsana operation underscores the FCTA’s commitment to infrastructure development, with the Engineering Department poised to begin RR3 construction once the corridor is fully cleared.
Challenges and Criticisms
While the FCTA frames the demolitions as essential for urban planning and security, they have sparked concerns about displacement. Past operations, such as the 2022 Gwarinpa cleanup, saw residents complain of insufficient relocation support, with some alleging post-demolition criminality by displaced groups. In Karsana, the FCTA has not detailed resettlement plans for non-indigenous occupants, though Galadima noted ongoing collaboration with the Department of Resettlement to identify and protect indigenous properties. Critics argue that the administration should prioritize alternative housing solutions to mitigate the humanitarian impact on displaced squatters.
Looking Ahead
The FCTA has vowed to continue the Karsana operation until the entire two-kilometer RR3 corridor is cleared, with further demolitions planned in coordination with resettlement officials. The project is part of a broader vision to modernize Abuja’s infrastructure, including roads like the N16 and Shehu Shagari Way, which connect key districts. As the FCTA balances development with security and community concerns, the Karsana demolition marks a significant step toward opening vital road corridors, but questions remain about the long-term impact on displaced residents.
For updates, follow FCTA announcements or contact the Department of Development Control for inquiries on resettlement and infrastructure projects.
If you’d like a deeper dive into specific aspects, such as the impact on displaced residents, the RR3 project’s timeline, or public reactions on platforms like X, let me know, and I can expand on those details!