Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for using force to flout urban development regulations, leading to the demolition of its own multi-million naira estate in the Gudu district of Abuja.
LEADERSHIP had reported that the FCTA on Thursday demolished a nearly-completed mini-estate in the Dutse area of Gudu District, because the developers ignored repeated warnings that the land was unsuitable for construction.
The estate, located on Sam Mbakwe Street near Cedar Crest Hospital, featured over 10 duplexes and four two-storey duplexes, was illegally built under a high-tension power line and within a stream channel earmarked for a future bridge.
The minister’s remarks came on Friday during an on-the-spot assessment of the demolished site, a visit prompted by the arrest of FCT enforcement officials by police officers a day earlier.
Inspecting the rubble situated directly beneath high-tension electricity cables, a visibly concerned Wike described the situation as “unfortunate” and a clear risk to public safety.
“Well, it is unfortunate. You can see the high tension. How would anybody take such a risk?” he said.
He detailed how the FCT Department of Development Control had previously denied approval for the construction due to the dangerous location.
“They applied for approval, but the development control said no. There’s no way they would grant approval. Look at where the high tension is.
“They asked them to stop, they refused to stop. And then they have to come here to make sure that the buildings are brought down. But they were arrested by the Nigerian Police. So I have to come and see things for myself,” he said.
The minister emphasised that no institution, regardless of its authority, is above the law.
“Assuming that there’s no even high tension, the mere fact that the Development Control has refused to give you approval, you cannot take it in your hands because you have the force.
“Government is here to enforce rules. Government is not here to break the rules. I’m sure the IGP is not around, he may not be aware, but I have to take it up to the appropriate authorities that we cannot allow this,” he said.
The director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, identified the property as Plot 189, Cadastral Zone B14, Dutse in Gudu District, allocated to the Nigerian Police Force in 2018 for institutional development.
“The Force approached the Department of Development Control for approval to commence development. We came to the site, we saw the position of the high tension, we declined to grant approval. And we wrote to them that in view of the position of the high tension, we can’t grant approval,” Galadima explained.
He revealed that despite formal notices served in July, the police continued construction.
“The situation was further complicated when the Department of Engineering flagged the site for a planned bridge to control flooding, the foot of which would occupy the same space as the illegal structures.
“Looking at the risk involved, we can’t just fold our arms because should anything happen, we will be held responsible. That’s why we had to react, and we acted yesterday (Thursday),” Galadima stated.
The director confirmed the detention of his enforcement team members, which necessitated the Minister’s intervention. “Some of the enforcement officers, the security officers attached to us, they were detained.
“So I had to rush to my principal and inform him, and he intervened. That’s why he said we should come here for the public to know what is happening,” he said.
