Shanties, including a Church building, behind Gwarinpa ultra modern market in Life camp extension were on Tuesday demolished by men of the Development Control department of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council.

The shanties, mainly local bars, where alcohol and cigarettes were sold, were believed to be hideouts for prostitutes and thieves.

An eye witness, Chukwudi, said he was standing in front of his house when he saw a bulldozer pulling down some of the illegal structures.

"When they were done with that, they moved down to a church, constructed with zinc and wood, and pulled it down.

Our reporter gathered that the demolished church had been there for over eight years.

Members of the affected church were seen removing valuables from the demolished building.

A resident of the area, Kenneth Ogbu, said the shanties were demolished few weeks ago but the people re-built them within two days.