The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the arrest of a developer and the demolition of buildings allegedly constructed illegally on plots of land originally allocated to foreign embassies in the diplomatic district of Katampe Extension.
The land, located within the diplomatic zone of the area, was allocated on March 18, 2008, to several foreign missions for diplomatic residential purposes. Part of the site was also reserved for the now-defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria for a 132/133KV power station.
Speaking with journalists during an inspection tour of projects across Abuja, Wike said the administration discovered that an individual had unlawfully taken over the land and commenced development without the approval of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
“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 minister said.
Wike directed the Department of Development Control to immediately remove all structures built on the site.
According to him, the affected plots were originally allocated to diplomatic missions including those of Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
He added that the FCT Administration had already begun notifying the embassies to reclaim their allocated land.
The minister further disclosed that the suspected developer, Alhaji Kabiru Sahara, had been arrested and would soon face prosecution.
“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,” Wike said.
The minister spoke after inspecting several ongoing infrastructure projects in the capital city, including the redesigned Abuja City Gate, the road project linking Bill Clinton Drive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Tunga Madaki community, which he said would be extended to Zuba.
Other projects inspected include the road linking **Baze University, the Body of Benchers complex, Nile University and the Wupa Light Rail Station in the Idu area of Abuja, as well as the construction of an Office Annex for the Body of Benchers.
Wike said the projects, being executed by contractors such as Julius Berger Nigeria, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and Levant Construction, were progressing steadily and would be completed in time for inauguration during the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office.
He explained that the ongoing infrastructure development is aimed at opening up new communities and improving connectivity within the capital.
According to the minister, residents of areas such as Tungan-Madaki have welcomed the projects, noting that the road expansion would provide them with easier access to the city.
