By
The Akwa Ibom State government has launched a major crackdown on crime, demolishing several makeshift structures used as hideouts by petty thieves and scrap dealers responsible for vandalizing public infrastructure in Uyo, the state capital.
One of the key targets of the operation was a well-known scrap market in Nung Oku Ibesikpo. The market had long been a hotspot for criminal activities, with thieves and hoodlums using it as a base to terrorize parts of the city.
The demolition was carried out by the Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), led by its chairman, Hon. Anietie Eka. He stated that the government took action to restore order, enhance security, and improve the city’s overall aesthetics.
For years, residents had raised alarms about the area, complaining that it had become a hub for crimes such as theft, drug peddling, and even sexual violence. Many had called for urgent government intervention to reclaim the space.
Authorities also revealed that the location, originally designated for a motor park, had been illegally converted into a dumpsite and scrap market, further contributing to the city’s sanitation and security challenges.
With the demolition complete, the government has vowed to continue efforts to rid Uyo of criminal enclaves and ensure that public spaces are used for their intended purposes.
