History is more than old records. It is the bedrock of civilization and identity — a record of events that shaped our past, steer our present, and seed our future.
As Michael Crichton wrote, _“If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.”
Today, WITHIN NIGERIA highlights one notable event that occurred on June 2 in Nigeria’s history, as part of our commitment to education and enlightenment.
FCTA Dislodges Over 1,800 Babanbola Shanties in Apo, Abuja
On Thursday, June 2, 2022, the Federal Capital Territory Administration demolished over 1,800 shops and shanties operated by Babanbola scrap dealers in Apo’s Dutse pantaker market.
The operation was led by Comrade Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister.
He said it followed a direct order from FCT Minister Muhammad Bello to reclaim illegally occupied land and curb rising insecurity in the district.
“The Minister directed that the entire market be cleared so plot owners can take over their land and begin mass housing development,” Attah said.
“The market is illegal and very dangerous. The FCT Minister, Police Commissioner Sunday Babaji, and others have raised serious concerns about activities here.”
Shuaibu Umar, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, faulted the unauthorized development.
“Individuals built without approval, blocking rightful owners from developing the area,” he said.
Attah noted that the pantaker market holds over 4,000 shops and shanties in total. Thursday’s exercise focused on the Babanbola section.
“We removed over 1,800 structures so far,” he said.
Anas Ismail, Chairman of the Association of Scrap Dealers, Apo-Dutse Pantaker Market, said most youths in the area rely on the scrap trade to survive.
“We can’t fight the government,” Ismail said.
“But now that the market is demolished, there should be another place for us to relocate. Otherwise, some may turn to crime.”
