ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has escalated a dispute with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) over the demolition of illegal luxury apartments in Abuja, announcing plans to meet with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
The move follows the demolition of not fewer than eleven units of three and four-bedroom flats in the Apo Dutse District, structures allegedly built by or for the NPF directly beneath a high-tension power line. The situation turned confrontational when Police officers reportedly arrested staff of the FCT Department of Development Control following the Thursday operation.
Disregard for Danger and Law
Minister Wike made the disclosure on Friday during an on-the-spot assessment of the demolished site, confirming that the land was initially allocated to the Police but that subsequent development approval was unequivocally denied by the FCT due to the extreme safety risks posed by the high-tension installation.
A statement released by the Minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, quoted Wike as expressing dismay over the brazen disregard for both safety and FCT regulations.
“It’s unfortunate. Yesterday, I got a call from Development Control that they had to come here to stop some buildings from going on,” Wike stated. “You can see the high-tension line, and that is dangerous. The land was given to the Nigerian Police, and they applied for approval, but Development Control refused because of the high-tension risk.”
The Minister emphasized that the developers proceeded with construction despite the explicit denial of permission.
Arrests Trigger Ministerial Intervention
The core of the present conflict is the arrest of the FCDA enforcement staff, an action Wike described as intolerable and the primary reason for his planned direct intervention with the nation’s top cop.
“They refused to stop, and Development Control had to act. Unfortunately, our officers were arrested by the Nigerian Police, and that’s why I have to take this matter up with the IGP,” the Minister affirmed.
Wike expressed confidence that IGP Egbetokun was likely unaware of the arrests but maintained a firm stance on the government’s resolve to uphold urban planning integrity, irrespective of the personalities or institutions involved.
“The government cannot allow anyone to break the rules. Look at the high-tension line. How would anybody take such a risk? Even if there was no high-tension line, once you are denied approval, you cannot go ahead as if you are above the law,” Wike concluded.
The demolition exercise is part of the FCT Administration’s renewed drive to clear the capital of structures violating established safety codes and land-use regulations. The outcome of the Minister’s meeting with the IGP is keenly anticipated, as it will determine the immediate fate of the arrested FCDA staff and set a precedent for enforcing development laws against federal agencies.
