The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed security agencies to take action against a man identified as Kabiru Sahara for allegedly taking over government land and constructing buildings without authorisation.
Speaking to journalists during an inspection of ongoing projects in Abuja, the minister explained that the disputed land is located in the Diplomatic Zone of Katampe Extension.
According to him, the property had already been officially allocated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration for diplomatic use.
Wike revealed that on March 18, 2008, the plots were assigned to ten foreign missions for the development of diplomatic residences.
In addition, part of the land had been reserved for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria for the construction of a 132/133KV power station intended to serve the area.
The minister listed the diplomatic missions originally allocated the land as those of Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
He noted that the FCT Administration had begun formally notifying the missions to take possession of their designated plots.
Developer Ignored Official Process
According to Wike, the suspected developer ignored official processes and moved onto the land without approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), proceeding to erect structures.
“This property belongs to diplomatic missions. Someone simply came here, occupied the land and started developing it without any form of approval from the FCDA. Such actions cannot be tolerated,” the minister said.
He confirmed that the individual involved had already been arrested and that the police were conducting further investigations ahead of prosecution.
“The suspect is currently in custody. Once the investigation is concluded, he will be charged to court,” Wike added.
The minister spoke after visiting several ongoing infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
Inspected Project
Among the projects inspected were the redesign of the Abuja City Gate, the road linking Bill Clinton Drive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Tunga Madaki, which is now set to be extended to Zuba, and a major road network connecting Baze University, the Body of Benchers complex, Nile University, and the Wupa Light Rail Station in the Idu district.
Wike also inspected the construction of the Office Annex for the Body of Benchers.
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He stated that many of the infrastructure developments, being executed by major construction companies including Julius Berger Nigeria, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and Levant Construction, are progressing steadily and are expected to be ready for inauguration during the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.