The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the clearance of Kobi Forest, a notorious criminal hideout linked to recent kidnappings in Guzape and Asokoro Village.

The operation, which began on Monday, follows the September 15 abduction of two villagers and the killing of a local vigilante commander during a rescue attempt.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said the clearance aims to dismantle criminal hideouts and restore safety.

Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, who supervised the exercise, said all trees, shanties, and makeshift structures within the forest would be removed, with recommendations for a police outpost.

“This forest has become an ungoverned space and a base for criminal activities. Clearing it will deny them cover,” he said.

The FCTA has also deployed drone surveillance for round-the-clock monitoring of forested areas and ungoverned spaces.

Secretary of the FCT Command and Control Centre, Dr. Peter Olumiji, confirmed that drones are already operational in high-risk corridors and will complement ground security operations.

Residents welcomed the move, citing years of unchecked attacks and kidnappings.

“Five years ago, we could walk these roads freely. Now, it’s a nightmare,” said Iliya Iwadagba, a resident of Kobi.The crackdown is part of a wider security and transport enforcement campaign. In the last five months, the FCTA has impounded and crushed more than 700 rogue vehicles and motorcycles used for crimes such as “one chance” robberies.

Mandate Secretary for Transport, Chinedu Elechi, said the administration is profiling commercial drivers, enforcing taxi registration and painting, and introducing public bus terminals under a PPP model to sanitize the transport sector.

“The FCTA cannot fold its arms while residents are exposed to preventable danger,” Elechi warned, adding that enforcement will continue as long as violations persist.