On Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration dismantled a suspected criminal hideaway near Mpape’s famed Crush Rock.
According to the FCTA, the property was one of the tourist hotspots already defined by the territory and attracting private investors.
However, the hoodlums’ antics were scaring tourists away.
Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, said the exercise was carried out to safeguard the safety of tourists over the holiday season.
Attah said, “Coming back to Mpape today is to achieve two things, to clear the road which is already getting congested and to dislodge the hoodlums in this tourism site, which has been a problem.
“Looking around here, you will see the activities of scavengers and hoodlums, making tourism activities here very difficult. We have cleared here before and these hoodlums left, but unfortunately, they are regrouping. The hoodlums have been snatching peoples bags and making them pay a certain amount.
“Many tourists had been harassed and molested by hoodlums at the site, including one of the media aides to the Deputy Senate President, Lara Wise, the administration cannot watch while criminal elements continue their terror reign.
“Even the Divisional Police Officer in Mpape, CSP Adamu Faisa, had earlier called for the dislodgement of the hoodlums. The clean up we have done today would ensure the safety of tourists who would be coming here during this yuletide and the holidays.”
While warning indigenous people and other Mpape residents who were attempting to reconstruct the demolished unlawful constructions, Attah stated that the administration would not stop the activities.
He noted that the FCT’s two ministers were working hard to get the Mpape Road projects started, but residents continued to divert attention by opposing development plans.
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