The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, personally led a task force to stop what he called illegal development and land grabbing by the Nigerian Military in the Gaduwa district of Abuja.
Wike had, in a dramatic on-site confrontation with military officers, vowed not to be intimidated, but insisted that the rule of law must take its course.
The intervention came after reports that soldiers had, sometime earlier, chased away officials of the FCT Department of Development Control from Plot 1946, preventing them from enforcing regulations. Wike described the incident as “unfortunate” and symptomatic of growing lawlessness.
The minister, who spoke to journalists at the site, said he visited following a distress call that military personnel had taken over the land to prevent his officials from carrying out their duties.
“You are aware that the land department and development control have been mandated to identify illegal developments and land grabbing. When this case was brought to my attention, I instructed that no further activity should continue until proper approval and documentation were produced,” he said.
Wike expressed disappointment that instead of following due process, the military resorted to intimidation. He disclosed that the officers on site claimed they were acting upon the orders of a former Chief of Naval Staff – a claim he strongly criticized.
“I don’t understand how a man who had been occupying such an office will refuse to write my office formally. Because he’s a military man, he thinks he can intimidate Nigerians. I won’t be blackmailed and intimidated,” Wike said.
The minister noted that the developers had failed to present any legal documents or building approvals. “How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those who don’t have the military or security backing them?” he questioned.
Wike said he had already contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who promised that the matter would be peacefully resolved.
He added, “We’re not here to cause chaos or have a shootout. The law must take its course,” reiterating that everybody would be held to the same standards. “The same way we have enforced the law in other parts of Abuja is the same way it will be enforced here. No one will carry out illegal development simply because of their status,” he added. The FCT Administration subsequently sealed off the disputed site, pending a full investigation and presentation of valid ownership documents.
