Crackdown on "Land Invasion" in Diplomatic Zone

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned the unauthorized development of structures on land reserved for foreign embassies in Abuja. Speaking during an inspection of infrastructure projects on Friday, the Minister described the situation as a lawless "land invasion" that undermines the territorial integrity of the nation's capital.

The affected area, located in the Katampe Extension diplomatic zone, was reportedly taken over by an illegal developer who commenced construction without the requisite approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

Diplomatic Missions Affected

The plots in question were originally allocated on March 18, 2008, for residential purposes to several international missions. The Minister listed the affected embassies as:

  • Europe: Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro, Austria, and Switzerland.

  • Asia & Middle East: Thailand, Syria, Japan, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

  • Africa: Somalia and Senegal.

Additionally, a portion of the encroached land was designated for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for the construction of a critical 132/133KV power station.

Zero Tolerance for Illegal Development

Minister Wike has instructed the Department of Development Control to move in and level every structure standing on the disputed plots. He emphasized that the FCTA would not allow individuals to bypass official channels to seize land meant for international partners.

“This land was allocated to various embassies in 2008. Somebody just came here, took the land, and started developing it on their own without approval from the FCDA. We cannot allow this kind of land invasion to continue.”

Legal Action and Prosecution

Beyond the demolition, the Minister revealed that the suspected developer behind the unauthorized project has been apprehended by the police.

  • Status of Developer: Currently under arrest and undergoing investigation.

  • Legal Recourse: The FCTA intends to prosecute the individual in court as soon as the police conclude their report.

  • Restoration: The FCTA will formally notify the affected embassies to take full possession of their land once the sites are cleared.

Infrastructure Update: Anniversary Targets

During the same tour, Wike inspected several key road projects, including the Wuse-Central Area link and the Tungan-Madaki road. He expressed optimism that these projects would be ready for inauguration to mark the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2026.