ABUJA: In a bold move to reclaim lands illegally acquired by developers, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has directed all relevant security agencies to protect the ongoing demolition operations and ensure the complete recovery of encroached land.
This directive was issued during an on-the-spot assessment of an illegal development site, where the Minister was accompanied by top security officials, including the Guards Brigade Commander, the Director of the FCT Department of State Security, the Commissioner of Police, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Wike expressed shock and disappointment that some individuals, under the guise of investors, had commenced construction on lands without obtaining the necessary approvals. During his visit, the Minister reiterated the administration’s resolve to recover all illegally occupied land and issued a stern warning to the land grabbers: “We will not tolerate any act of illegal acquisition of land or any violation of the FCT’s development procedures.”
The demolition squad, currently tasked with reclaiming land dotted with about 50 duplexes and bungalows, has encountered resistance. To counter this, Wike has ordered security operatives to clear any threats to the demolition team, ensuring they can carry out their duties without hindrance. He further challenged developers who claim to possess valid documents and approvals to present them for verification, emphasizing that no illegal structure will be spared in the operation.
The crackdown, which forms part of the broader efforts to enforce land-use regulations in the FCT, has targeted several areas notorious for illegal land grabbing, including Sabon Lugbe, Idu Train Station, and Kyami.
Speaking of the exercise, Director of the FCT Department of Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima, disclosed that the operation aims to address the rampant contraventions of land-use laws across the capital.
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“We are here for a removal exercise in Sabon Lugbe Southwest, part of the Phase 5 district of the Federal Capital City. We’ve started with about 10 structures, but tomorrow, we will come back in full swing,” Galadima said.
He explained that the demolition exercise was in continuation of an enforcement drive that had already been launched. The initiative is particularly focused on preventing individuals from falling victim to land grabbers who falsely claim that certain illegal developments will be integrated into the city’s planning framework. “There is no such thing as integration into Phase 5 for illegal developments. Illegality remains illegality, and we will continue to remove them,” Galadima stressed.
The Minister, during his visit, made it clear that the administration will not back down from reclaiming illegally occupied land, no matter how advanced the construction on such properties may be. The presence of nearly 50 illegal structures, ranging from duplexes to bungalows, underscores the severity of the issue in areas like Lugbe, Idu Train Station, and Kyami. Wike’s administration has vowed to ensure full recovery of these lands in accordance with the laws governing the Federal Capital Territory.
Galadima also issued a cautionary note to the public, urging them to ensure they purchase only legally titled properties with approved development plans. “For anyone intending to buy property in Abuja, make sure it is properly titled and comes with an approved development plan. If not, you risk falling victim to land grabbers, and in such cases, the FCTA will not be held responsible,” he warned.
The FCTA’s demolition campaign is expected to continue in full force in the coming weeks, as the administration works to clamp down on illegal developments and restore order to the city’s land use. With Wike’s firm stance and the backing of security agencies, the FCTA is signaling its commitment to ensuring that the Federal Capital City remains free of unauthorized structures, preserving the integrity of its development plans.
As the FCTA continues its efforts to rid Abuja of illegal structures, the public is advised to exercise caution when purchasing land, as the consequences of engaging in illegal land deals are becoming increasingly dire. The message from Wike’s administration is clear: Abuja is not a haven for land grabbers, and illegal developments will be met with swift and decisive action.
