By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has directed the Department of Development Control to pull down illegal buildings on plots allocated to ten foreign missions in the diplomatic zone in Abuja.
He said the land was allocated to Embassies since 2008, but a developer illegally built structures on it.
Wike listed the affected plots to include; Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal and the Palestine Liberation Organization. He said the FCT Administration had begun notifying the missions to take possession of their allocated land.
Addressing journalists after inspection tour of some projects in Abuja, on Friday,Wike said, ” the land was given to various embassies, and it was allocated since 2008. Of course, our people will always believe that nothing will happen, somebody just came here, took the land, and started developing it on his own without approval from the FCTA.
“The Development Control Department had to come in to make sure that we can’t allow this. This land grabbing must stop”.
Wike emphasized that the administration would not be deterred by the level of investment already made by the illegal developer and expressed his resolve to protect the integrity of land administration in the FCT, particularly concerning plots reserved for diplomatic missions.
“This is land allocated to foreign embassies for them to have their residential areas, and it will be very unfortunate for us to fold our arms and say, okay, the place is already developed.
“No, we won’t allow that. So, we have taken swift action. I’ve told them to bring down every building standing on this land, and we are writing to the embassies that we have taken over the land” Wike said.
In addition, the Minister disclosed that the FCT Administration is pursuing criminal charges to serve as a deterrent to others and confirmed that the developer, one Alhaji Kabiru Sahara, responsible for the Katampe encroachment, has been apprehended by the law enforcement agency and would soon be charged to court.
Wike also conducted an extensive tour of several high-priority infrastructure projects in the city centre and sub-urban areas, including vital link roads, institutional developments, and urban beautification projects. He disclosed that most of these projects are on track for handover by May 2026, ensuring they are ready for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third year in office celebrations.
A major highlight of the tour was the inspection of the road leading to Tunga Madaki community, located off Bill Clinton Drive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Following assurances from the contractor, CCECC, that the project would be completed by the first week of June, Barr. Wike disclosed that he has issued a fresh directive for the immediate extension of the road to link directly with Zuba.
The Minister emphasized that the extension would open up the area, providing residents with seamless access to the city center—a move that was met with widespread celebration by local indigenes during the visit.
Wike also reviewed progress on the Transit Way N2, which features two critical bridges connecting Wuse and the Central Business Districts. He said the project, along with the access road linking the Body of Benchers to the Nile University area in the Institution and Research District, is scheduled for inauguration during the President’s third anniversary celebration. Additionally, the Minister inspected the nearly completed Body of Benchers annex office, noting that the facility is 85% complete and would be ready for handover by the end of May
The Minister who also visited the Abuja City Gate to inspect ongoing beautification and redesign works, noted that the project is a brainchild of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the existing pillar at the entrance to Abuja, especially for visitors arriving from the airport. He said the construction company, Julius Berger, has assured that the project would be completed in May this year, ensuring that the entrance to the FCT reflects the status of a modern global capital.
