The UTC Shopping Complex, a popular market located at Area 10, Garki, Abuja is currently undergoing demolition by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Before the demolition exercise began on Saturday, the shop owners and traders were expected to relocate to a completed temporary site besides the market area as provided by the administration.

According to the FCTA, the relocation which involves over 420 shop owners and traders is in line with the Union Trading Company (UTC) agreement signed with Abuja Investment Company Limited for the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Urban Shelter Limited in 2021.

At the scene, some traders told Newspread they were aware of the demolition and had already moved to the provided site.

Contrary to what their colleagues said, other traders said the demolition came as a shock to them as they were only instructed to move to the provided temporary site but did not receive any notice of demolition.

A distraught trader in the market who gave his name as Vincent said:

“Taskforce people just came early this morning and stopped us from entering our ships.

“My computers, printers and other valuables are inside and they barred us from evacuating our valuable items before the demolition began.”