By Olokuta Rofiat
Authorities in Abuja have intensified enforcement to reclaim reserved corridors for rail and road projects, targeting illegal structures that have encroached on designated spaces.
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), through its Department of Development Control, has begun a sensitisation drive in Ruga, Kukwaba, Dei-Dei, Gwagwa, and Kuchingoro.
Officials are marking unlawful buildings ahead of demolition exercises planned before the Abuja rail system’s test run on March 13, 2026.
AMMC Coordinator, Umar Shuaibu, stressed that while Abuja “belongs to everyone,” compliance with the city’s master plan is non-negotiable.
He said enforcement would be carried out “with a human face,” noting that only natives are eligible for compensation or resettlement.
The operation is part of wider efforts by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to restore the city’s design. In Guzape District, 24 two-storey buildings erected by Cityscape Estate on a waterway were marked for demolition, with the developer given two weeks to comply.
Similarly, 10 unapproved structures in Wumba District were flagged for removal within 48 hours.
Shanty settlements have also been affected. Under “Operation Sweep,” launched in November 2024 on the directive of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, hundreds of makeshift structures in Ruga were cleared over security and environmental concerns.
More than 1,000 residents of Wuse Zone 3 were also displaced recently to pave way for road expansion and improved security.
Urban planners note that Abuja’s master plan reserves corridors for rail, roads, waterways, and green zones, but delayed implementation of projects has encouraged illegal developments.
The AMMC, alongside agencies such as Parks & Recreation, says it is determined to restore the city’s integrity.
