Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Jevaun Rhashan
Abuja — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed a forceful crackdown on unlawful construction within the diplomatic enclave of Katampe Extension, Abuja, ordering the demolition of buildings illegally erected on plots originally allocated to foreign missions and confirming the arrest of the developer involved amid investigations that could lead to prosecution. The directive was issued on Friday, March 13, 2026, during an inspection tour of ongoing urban development projects across the Nigerian capital.
Wike said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) discovered that an individual — Alhaji Kabiru Sahara — had unlawfully taken control of land reserved for diplomatic use and commenced construction without the approval of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) or compliance with required planning and building regulations. The minister described the act as a blatant violation of land‑use laws and an unacceptable encroachment on land reserved for diplomatic missions that host Nigeria’s international partners.
The affected land, situated within the Diplomatic Zone of Katampe Extension, was initially allocated on March 18, 2008, to 10 foreign missions for residential and official purposes, churching these plots into Abuja’s master plan for diplomatic accommodation. A section of it was also set aside for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for the development of a 132/133kV power station that never materialised. The embassies originally allocated land in the zone include those of Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
During his media briefing, Wike emphasised that the encroachment undermined the sanctity of land reserved for diplomatic purposes — a particularly sensitive category of allocations given their international legal and diplomatic significance. He noted that no foreign mission had transferred rights to the land to any private individual or developer, and that no authorised construction approvals had ever been issued for the illegal buildings.
In response to the discovery, Wike directed the Department of Development Control to remove all unauthorised structures on the site with immediate effect. He reiterated that the rule of law must prevail, especially in areas where international missions operate, warning that failing to enforce land‑use rules could erode confidence in Abuja’s planning framework. “We cannot allow this kind of land invasion to continue,” he said.
The suspect, Kabiru Sahara, was arrested by security personnel at the direction of the minister. Wike stated that investigations are ongoing, with the Nigeria Police Force conducting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the illegal development. Once police investigations conclude, Sahara is expected to be prosecuted in court on charges related to trespass, unlawful development and possible fraud. The minister stressed that prosecution would proceed regardless of the suspect’s social or economic status, illustrating the administration’s zero‑tolerance stance on land grabbery and illegal construction in the capital.
In his remarks, Wike also outlined the broader context of the FCTA’s enforcement actions. The demolition and arrest form part of a broader urban renewal and compliance initiative aimed at ensuring that development in Abuja adheres strictly to the city’s master plan, land‑use zoning, building codes and environmental regulations. The minister has, in recent months, intensified the monitoring and enforcement of land and development regulations across the territory, targeting illegal subdivisions, unapproved conversions, irregular developments and encroachments in residential, commercial, institutional and special‑use zones.
Officials are also focusing on improving land records management and tightening procedures for land allocations, transfers and approvals. The FCTA, in collaboration with the FCDA and Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), is reviewing title documentation and on‑ground use to detect irregularities and ensure compliance with statutory requirements. In some cases, illegal structures discovered in key districts such as Gwarinpa, Lugbe, Apo and parts of the Central Area have been slated for removal after due process, and owners have been given deadlines to regularise their properties or face sanctions, fines, revocation of titles or demolition.
The enforcement action in Katampe Extension has also prompted the FCTA to notify the concerned foreign missions of the situation and invite them to take possession of their allocated lands, ensuring the plots revert fully to legitimate use. Diplomatic missions were said to be briefed on the incident and reassured that the demolition operations are strictly confined to unauthorised structures and do not affect their historical rights.
Land administration experts have weighed in on the matter, noting that maintaining the integrity of Abuja’s master plan — particularly in sensitive zones like those reserved for foreign missions — is critical to preserving the capital’s diplomatic character, urban form and international reputation. They point out that unlawful construction not only violates planning laws but can jeopardise safety, infrastructure planning and diplomatic trust.
The FCTA’s enforcement strategy is part of the Wike administration’s promise to deliver disciplined urban development, reduce irregular subleases, eliminate bogus documentation, and improve the legal and administrative framework governing land use in Nigeria’s capital. The minister has reiterated that compliant development will be supported, while infractions — whether by powerful individuals or ordinary developers — will face swift and decisive action.
As demolition operations proceed, authorities say they are committed to managing the exercise with minimal disruption to legitimate stakeholders and have pledged to work with diplomatic missions and other investors to ensure that their allocations are protected and formally regularised under law.
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