The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of an Abuja-based developer for constructing illegal structures on multiple plots of land originally designated for foreign missions in the diplomatic zone of Katampe Extension.
Wike, while conducting an inspection of ongoing projects in the territory on Friday, said he ordered the Department of Development Control to equally demolish all the illegal structures on the affected land.
The minister disclosed that the affected land was initially allocated to 10 embassies on March 18, 2008, for diplomatic residential use, with a portion also set aside for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to build a 132/133 kV power station.
The minister stated that the FCT Administration found that an individual had illegally taken over the land and built structures without approval from the authority.
Wike disclosed that Kabiru Sahara, the suspect behind the unauthorized construction, has been arrested and will face prosecution after the police investigation is concluded.
“This land was allocated to various embassies. Somebody just came here, took the land and started developing it on his own without approval from the FCDA. We cannot allow this kind of land invasion to continue.
“The man has been arrested, and he will be charged to court. The police are carrying out their investigations, and he will be charged to court any moment from now,” the minister said.
The minister noted that the encroached piece of land belonged to Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation diplomatic missions.
Following its discovery, the minister said the FCT Administration has notified the concerned diplomatic missions to immediately take possession of their designated lands.
During the tour, Wike inspected the redesigned Abuja City Gate, the road linking Bill Clinton Drive of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Tunga Madaki community, which would be extended to Zuba.
He also inspected the road linking Baze University, the Body of Benchers, Nile University, and the Wupa Light Rail Station in the Idu Area of Abuja, as well as the Body of Benchers’ office annex.
The minister stated that many of the ongoing projects, being constructed by companies such as Julius Berger Nigeria, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and Levant Construction, would be inaugurated during President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary.
Wike explained that the infrastructure initiative was part of the FCT Administration’s broader efforts to create new communities and foster connectivity across the territory.
