Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike said Abuja land belongs to the government and not Abuja area councils.
Wike stated that all landowners in the territory parading allocation papers said to be given to them by the area councils should steer clear of the plots they claimed to be owners.
The minister, who was addressing aggrieved landowners at Sabo Lugbe recently, insisted that the illegal lands would be reclaimed by FCT Administration.
He directed security agencies attached to the demolition squad to protect officials of the administration carrying out the exercise.
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 ordered the Security operatives to ensure that all threats around the areas were removed to pave ways for the Squad battling to recover the land already dotted with duplexes and bungalows of different designs.
Wike challenged the developers, who claimed to have necessary documents and approval to come up with such and present their case in court.
He said his administration would not condone any act of illegal acquisition of lands and contravention of procedures of development.
The Director, Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima had recently told journalists 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.
Galadima said, “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 field day. They are in 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 beware. There is nothing like integration. Illegality is illegality, and we will continue to remove them.”
