By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has ordered the FCTA demolition squad and relevant security agencies to go after land grabbers and ensure the recovery of illegally acquired lands.
Wike gave the order on Tuesday in Abuja when he paid an on-the-spot visit to the site of an illegal development in company of the commander, Guards Brigade, director of FCT Department of State Service, Commissioner of Police, commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other FCTA officials.
The minister, who expressed dismay that supposed investors could move into the site and commence development without relevant approvals, vowed that all lands must be recovered from grabbers.
He charged security agencies to provide maximum protection to the demolition squad.
Wike maintained that security operatives should ensure that all threats to the squad around the areas where about 50 illegally developed duplexes and bungalows of different designs, are neutralised.
He challenged the developers who claimed to have the necessary documents and approval to present their case.
The minister vowed that his administration would not condone illegal acquisition of lands and contravention of procedures of development.
It would be recalled that the Director of Department of Development Control, FCTA, Muktar Galadima, had last week disclosed that the exercise is targeted at mitigating land use contraventions, especially in notorious land grabbing spots in Lugbe, Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi, respectively.
According to him, “We want to inform the general public that for any person to buy property in Abuja, please ensure that it is rightly titled with approved development plan, failing to do so, you could fall into the hands of these land grabbers and please don’t blame the FCTA.
“The people that are deceiving them that they are going to be integrated into phase 5 of the FCC should be warned. There is nothing like integration. Illegality is illegality and we will continue to remove them.”
