…Says No One Is Above the Law
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Friday stormed Apo Dutse, Abuja, in a surprise inspection visit after reports emerged that illegal duplexes were being erected directly under a high-tension power line allegedly by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
He described as “reckless disregard for the law and public safety,” Wike ordered strict enforcement of FCT development regulations, vowing that no individual or institution not even the Police will be allowed to compromise the Abuja Master Plan.
“It’s unfortunate,” the Minister said. “Yesterday, I got a call from Development Control that they came here to stop some buildings going up under a high-tension line. Despite warnings and denial of approval, they continued. Look at this how would anyone take such a risk?”
Wike disclosed that officers of the Department of Development Control (DDC) who tried to halt the illegal construction were arrested by police operatives ,a move he described as unacceptable and provocative.
“They gave them a stop-work order, but they refused. Development Control had to come and bring the structures down. Some enforcement officers were arrested by the Police, and that’s why I came to see things for myself,” he said.
The Minister, who personally inspected the demolished site, said he would brief the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the incident, stressing that “Abuja cannot be a city where people with power break the law and expect immunity.”
“The government must enforce the rules. Even if there were no high-tension lines, once Development Control denies approval, you cannot defy authority just because you wear a uniform. We will not allow impunity in the FCT,” Wike declared.
Wike, who lauded Development Control for standing firm, reiterated that his administration will not tolerate any form of lawlessness, encroachment, or disregard for planning regulations, irrespective of who is involved.
“This city must be governed by law and order. Anyone who violates development control rules will face the consequences,” the Minister warned.
Earlier, the Director, Department of Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima, explained that the demolished structures were located on Plot 189, B14 Dutse District, allocated to the Nigeria Police Force in 2018 for institutional development.
“The Force applied for approval, but upon site inspection, we found the buildings directly under a high-tension line,” Galadima said. “We declined approval and wrote officially to notify them. However, they ignored our notice and continued building.”
He added that the Department of Engineering had also raised concerns that the site obstructed a proposed flood-control bridge in the area, further justifying the demolition.
“Given the safety risks, we could not fold our arms. If anything happens, the FCTA would be blamed. That’s why we acted. Unfortunately, our enforcement officers were detained until the Minister intervened,” Galadima stated.
The FCT Administration has since reaffirmed its resolve to continue demolitions of illegal structures and recover encroached public lands to ensure the safety, orderliness, and integrity of Nigeria’s capital city.
