By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has justified the demolition of 11 duplexes in Abuja’s Dutse District, saying the buildings violated land use and safety regulations.
The affected structures, reportedly built by the Nigeria Police Force, were located under high-tension power lines and within a flood-prone channel. Wike said the FCT Administration’s Development Control Department had earlier denied approval for the project.
“It’s unfortunate, but the law must be enforced. These buildings are under high-tension power lines. The Police had no approval,” Wike stated during a site visit on Friday.
The minister added that he would meet with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the incident, noting that some FCTA officials were arrested by Police during the exercise.
Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, confirmed that the land was allocated to the Police in 2018 but deemed unsafe for development. He said repeated warnings and stop-work notices were ignored.
Galadima added that his office may recommend an alternative site for the Police.
The demolition, Wike said, reflects the FCTA’s resolve to uphold building and environmental safety laws across the capital.
