By Ismaila Ajikobi, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike has given a marching order to the FCTA Demolition Squad and relevant security agencies to go after any Indentified land grabbers and ensure recovery of such illegally acquired lands.
Wike gave the order when he paid an on-the-spot visit to the site of the illegal development, in company of the Guards Brigade Commander, Director FCT Department of State Security, Commissioner of Police, the Commandant, NSCDC and other FCTA officials on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Minister, who expressed dismay that supposed investors could move into the site and commence development without relevant approvals, vowed that all land must be recovered from the grabbers.
He charged security agencies to provide maximum protection to the demolition squad while carrying out the assignment.
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 were removed.
He challenged the developers who claimed to have necessary documents and approval to come up with such and present their case.
The Minister vowed that his administration would not condone any act of illegal acquisition of lands and contravention of procedures of development.
It would be recalled that the Director, Department of Development Control,FCTA, Muktar Galadima last week disclosed that the exercise was 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 are here for a removal exercise today at Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City (FCC). We just started with just about 10 structures, but tomorrow we are coming back in full swing
“And recall that sometimes back we warned that we are going to bounce on land grabbers. So this is in continuation of the enforcement exercise, which had started.
“We want to inform the general public that for any person to buy any property in Abuja, please ensure that it is rightly titled property with approved development plan, but failing to do so, you could fall into the hands of these land grabbers, and please don’t blame the FCTA.
“There are areas that these land grabbers are really having their feed day. They Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi area and Lugbe. And today we are in Lugbe, and we will continue as it is a continuous exercise. So, illegal developments will not be entertained.
“The people that are deceiving them that they are going to be integrated into the phase 5 of the FCC should be warned and bewared. There is nothing like integration. Illegality is illegality, and we will continue to remove them.”
