Some of the buildings earmarked for demolition
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday carried out the demolition of 11 illegally constructed buildings in the Apo-Dutse area of Abuja, citing safety concerns and multiple regulatory violations.
The affected structures—multi-storey buildings comprising three and four-bedroom flats—were reportedly erected under high-tension power lines and on land earmarked for a major infrastructure project.
Director of the Department of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, who led the exercise, said the demolition became necessary after the developer repeatedly ignored warnings and official communications.
“This is a statutorily allocated plot. They requested and applied for building plan approval, which we declined due to its proximity to a high-tension line and a stream channel,” Galadima explained. “But despite being denied approval, they went ahead with construction.”
He added that notices had been served from the very start of excavation and at multiple stages of the development. “We even wrote to them, clearly instructing that the work should be halted,” he said. “Unfortunately, perhaps due to the nature of their institution or agency, they decided to continue regardless.”
Beyond the safety hazards, Galadima disclosed that the area in question is also part of a planned corridor for a future bridge project being undertaken by the Engineering Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
“The Engineering Department wrote to us regarding the construction of a bridge in that section of the district. So, there’s nothing we can do other than to clear the way,” he stated.
On the issue of compensation, Galadima was firm. “Compensation is only granted to properties that have valid approvals and are affected by government development. In this case, there was no approval at all,” he said.
He also warned that the developers involved could face prosecution, with penalties potentially including the cost of demolition.
While the developers had reportedly been offered alternative plots, Galadima noted.
