Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Turi has issued a firm advisory for residents of the Four Mile works compound to vacate the premises following a condemnation notice from the National Capital District Health Authority.
As the sole authority for police evictions within the NCD and Central Province command, ACP Turi confirmed that awareness programs will begin next week to prepare the community for the transition.
The decision to clear the Four Mile works compound stems from both structural and safety concerns.
ACP Turi noted that the buildings have been officially condemned and have become hubs for illegal activity.
“Since the buildings were condemned and there are many reports of people committing criminal offenses residing there, police will move in to carry out evictions as per directives from the Works Department.”
Furthermore, the directive extends to the management of livestock within the city.
“Those who are looking after animals, like pigs, inside that yard are advised to remove them, or the NCDC enforcement team will move in and have them removed,” he warned.
The eviction mandate is not limited to Four Mile.
ACP Turi identified Eight Mile as the next priority area, targeting those squatting on land without proper titles.
He highlighted the administrative strain caused by unplanned urban migration, stating, “When we allow people to be squatters in such areas, they move to the city without planning where to live.”
“When they arrive in the city, they look for free land to reside on and engage in illegal activities like vending in undesignated areas, loitering, and many other unlawful actions that create more work for the police, who are supposed to concentrate on investigating other crimes.”
To address this, the police are collaborating with the NCDC and various government departments to map out illegal settlements.
“We will start evictions and take stock of people who are moving from one place to another,” Turi added, emphasizing a new focus on monitoring population movement to curb crime.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Superintendent Warrick Simatab, and Central Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Joseph Salle, are currently coordinating with station commanders to identify and profile residents in these informal locations.
This effort aims to isolate and deal with criminal elements effectively.
ACP Turi concluded by expressing gratitude to the community for their role in urban safety.
“This is the way forward to make our city clean and safe for everyone residing here and those coming in to do business in our city,” he said, acknowledging the vital updates provided by the public regarding local criminal activities.
