The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished 11 duplexes constructed illegally under high-tension power lines in the Dutse District.
The enforcement action took place on Thursday along Garba Duba Street in Phase Two of the Federal Capital City, a bustling area near prominent landmarks like Cedarcrest Hospital and Amina Court.
Led by Muktar Galadima, Director of the FCTA's Department of Development Control, the operation involved bulldozers systematically dismantling portions of the structures, which were also encroaching on a stream channel.
Galadima explained that the plot was statutorily allocated to the unnamed developer, who submitted plans for approval only to have them rejected due to the site's hazardous proximity to overhead power lines and the natural waterway.
Undeterred, the developer proceeded with excavation and construction, ignoring a series of stop-work notices issued from the project's earliest stages.
"We've been serving notices even from the excavation stage," Galadima told journalists at the scene. "At various stages of development, we communicated in writing that the work should be stopped. But unfortunately, they moved ahead."
The final trigger for the demolition came from the FCTA's engineering department, which flagged the developer's intention to build a private bridge over the stream, directly conflicting with the administration's own planned infrastructure in the area.
"We informed them that there is a proposed bridge that is going to be constructed over the stream channel," Galadima added.
"So, there's nothing we can do about this."Emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance, Galadima warned other developers against similar defiance.
"If you don’t respect [the notices], we’ll allow you to waste your money, and we’ll bring it down," he said.
"Once you are served a notice, please stop. Come for clarification whether to proceed or not."
No compensation will be offered to the developer, as the structures lacked approval and the violations were blatant.
However, Galadima hinted at potential leniency, noting that the FCTA could allocate an alternative site to the aggrieved party given the plot's official status.
This demolition is part of a broader crackdown by the FCTA to safeguard public safety and preserve Abuja's urban masterplan.
High-tension lines pose severe risks of electrocution and fire, while encroachments on waterways exacerbate flooding in the flood-prone capital.
Officials are now pushing for new legislation that would impose hefty fines on owners of illegally built properties prior to any enforcement action, aiming to deter future infractions.
The incident has sparked discussions on enforcement delays, with Galadima defending the timeline: "As a reasonable institution, once you are served a notice, it should stop."
Residents and business owners in Dutse District have welcomed the move, citing long-standing concerns over unsafe developments in the rapidly expanding suburb.
The FCTA reaffirmed its commitment to orderly growth, urging all stakeholders to seek approvals before breaking ground.
"This is very important, not just to them, but to everybody," Galadima concluded. "So long as you intend to develop in the FCT, respect the process."
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