Disputed FCT land: FCTA faults claimants’ documents, says no approval granted

Disputed FCT land: FCTA faults claimants’ documents, says no approval granted

Officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have taken responsibility for the confrontation between FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lt. A.M. Yerima, at a disputed site in Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja.

The incident, which went viral in a video showing naval personnel blocking the Minister from accessing the site, stemmed from a development linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).

Speaking after the FCT Executive Committee meeting, the Director of the Department of Development Control, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, apologised to the Minister and the public, expressing regret over the circumstances that escalated into a tense standoff.

“It is with a sense of commitment, emotion and regret that we address this press conference on the incident that happened on Tuesday, 11th November, 2025, at the Gaduwa District,” Galadima said.

He explained that officials discovered ongoing construction on October 17 within the Southern Parkway corridor but were met with threats from armed naval officers when they requested approval documents. The documents eventually presented, he said, included only a 2007 letter of intent issued by the Department of Parks and Recreation—far from a recognised development approval.

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Galadima said he appealed repeatedly to officers on site to produce valid approvals and later invited the Minister when the presence of armed men suggested imminent danger.

“Seeing armed men strategically positioned, ready to shoot, I sent a distress call to the Honorable Minister to come for an on-the-spot assessment. And on getting there, that ugly incident happened,” he said. “I sincerely apologize to the Minister and to all Nigerians for what happened.”

He stressed that the development was illegal under the FCT Act of 1976 and the Urban and Regional Planning Law of 1992.

The Director of Lands Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, also clarified that the claimants had no statutory title to the property, noting that the 18-year-old letter of intent they relied on neither conferred ownership nor granted approval to build.

He said the letter contained strict conditions—such as submission of a detailed technical proposal within 21 days and completion of development within one year—none of which were fulfilled. He further noted that no lease agreement was issued, and no development occurred on the site by the required 2008 deadline.

“Beyond not having title, in Abuja you cannot build anything without approval of the plans you submitted,” Nwankwoeze stressed, adding that the structures were erected illegally after all related documents had long been withdrawn.

The officials reaffirmed that the enforcement action was necessary to uphold Abuja’s development standards and the rule of law, while acknowledging the disruption caused by the episode.

Disputed FCT land: FCTA faults claimants’ documents, says no approval granted