By Sarah NEGEDU
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says he will meet with the Inspector General of Police to discuss the demolition of 11 duplexes built by the Nigerian Police Force in the Apo-Dutse District of Abuja.
The meeting, according to the minister, will enable both institutions to address the breach of development regulations that led to Thursday’s demolition by the Department of Development Control.
Wike, who visited the site on Friday, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the police had proceeded with construction despite being denied approval due to safety concerns.
According to him, “Well, it’s unfortunate. Yesterday, I got a report from Development Control that they had to come here to stop some buildings that were going on. You can see the high tension. It’s been built by the Nigerian Police. They applied for approval, but Development Control said no. There’s no way they could grant approval. Look at where the high tension is.”
He explained that the enforcement team from Development Control was detained by police officers while trying to stop the illegal construction, prompting his visit to verify the situation. “They asked them to stop; they refused to stop. They had to come here to make sure the buildings were brought down. But they were arrested by the Nigerian Police, so I have to come and see things for myself,” Wike said.
The minister stressed that government institutions must lead by example in complying with planning regulations, adding that he would engage the IGP to ensure such infractions are not repeated. “I’m sure the IG may not be aware, but I have to take it up with the appropriate authority. We cannot allow this. Government is here to enforce rules, not to break them,” he stated.
The Director of Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima, who accompanied the minister to the site confirmed that the disputed site, Plot 189, Cadastral Zone B14, Dutse District, was allocated to the Police in 2018 for institutional development, but approval was withheld because the plot lies directly beneath a high-tension line and within the alignment of a proposed bridge.
He explained that several stop-work notices and letters were ignored, forcing the department to act. “Looking at the risk involved, we can’t just fold our arms, because should anything happen, we’ll be held responsible. That’s why we had to react, and we acted yesterday,” Galadima said.
The minister had earlier flagged off the construction of Collector Road C01 in the Institution and Research District, linking the Body of Benchers complex to Baze University in Abuja.
The project, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under emergency procurement, is expected to improve access across the city’s expanding legal and academic corridor, which also houses key institutions.
Wike, at the flag-off of the project said President Tinubu’s swift approval reflected his commitment to supporting the legal profession and educational development in the FCT.
He assured that the road would be completed within six months and urged residents to engage government through dialogue rather than online criticism.
