The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday visited Apo-Dutse District, where 11 duplexes built by the Nigeria Police Force were demolished for violating planning laws.
Visibly angered, Wike condemned what he called a “brazen abuse of power” after Police officers allegedly arrested Development Control officials who carried out the demolition.
“Government enforces laws, not breaks them. How can anyone build under high-tension lines? Once approval is denied, no one has the right to take the law into their hands,” he said.
Wike revealed that the Police had earlier been denied building approval on safety grounds but went ahead regardless. He vowed to take the matter up with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stressing that Abuja’s master plan would not be compromised.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, said the disputed plot allocated to the Police in 2018 sits directly beneath high-tension lines and within a proposed flood-control corridor.
Despite repeated warnings, he said, construction continued until officials moved in to enforce compliance, leading to their brief detention by the Police.
The FCT Administration has warned that any developer who violates planning regulations risks losing investments and facing sanctions. The demolished duplexes, located along Garba Duba Street, were found to pose serious safety and environmental hazards.
