The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the arrest of a developer and the demolition of structures built on land reserved for foreign embassies in the diplomatic district of Katampe Extension, Abuja.
Wike disclosed this during an inspection of ongoing projects in the nation’s capital, saying the plots, originally meant for diplomatic residences, had been illegally occupied and developed without the authorisation of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
“These plots were allocated to various embassies, yet someone came and started construction without any approval from the FCDA. This type of land encroachment cannot be tolerated,” Wike said.
He explained that the land, located in the Diplomatic Zone of Katampe Extension, was allocated on March 18, 2008, to embassies for residential purposes.
A portion of the land was also earmarked for a 132/133KV power station for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.
The minister listed the embassies affected, including Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
He said the FCT Administration had begun notifying the missions to reclaim their allocated plots.
The suspected developer, identified as Alhaji Kabiru Sahara, has been arrested, Wike confirmed, adding that the police are investigating and he would soon be charged to court.
“The individual has been apprehended and will face prosecution once investigations are concluded,” he stated.
During the tour, Wike also visited several major infrastructure projects across Abuja, including the redesigned Abuja City Gate, the road linking Bill Clinton Drive near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Tunga Madaki, as well as the route connecting Baze University, Body of Benchers, Nile University, and the Wupa Light Rail Station in Idu.
He noted that construction firms such as Julius Berger Nigeria, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and Levant Construction were handling the projects, which are expected to be completed in time for the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Wike said the infrastructure initiatives were aimed at opening new communities and improving connectivity, adding that residents of Tunga-Madaki had welcomed the developments, which will enhance access to and from the city.
