Tag: FCTA

The House of Representatives committee on Public Petition has threatened to arrest the Executive Secretary of the Federal capital territory Administration (FCTA), Olusade Adesola for refusing to explain his role in an alleged contravention of the building code of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Chairman of the committee, Michael Etaba, who issued the threat at the seating of the committee explained that the arrest warrant on Adesola would become necessary if he fails to appear before the committee on thursday to state his own side of the story. 

The committee’s position followed the adoption of the petition on the issue regarding plot AO9399 cadastral zone filed by the chairman of the House committee on Custom, Elder Leke Abejide.

Etaba said the committee was determined to dispense with the matter as soon as possible, wondering why Adesola chose to stay away from the hearing in spite the fact that he is based in Abuja.

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Counsel to Abejide, Samuel Ajayi told reporters at the end of proceeding that he filed a similar petition in the office of the Minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, the Director Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima asking them to wade into the matter.

“The petition we have before the House is in respect to special appeal for the Chairman’s swift intervention on the development on a property at AO9399 cadestral zone contravening the building code of the FCT. 

“We have a complain in respect to a building going on there which trespassed into the rights of my client. We are urging the appropriate authority to take appropriate step address the issue.”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Security Committee has resolved to deepen collaboration with security operatives in neighboring states to establish a unified strategy for policing the region and curbing the displacement of criminal activities across state lines.

FCT Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu disclosed this in Abuja on Friday while briefing reporters on the outcome of the 2025 FCT Security Committee Meeting, chaired by FCT Minister Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

Disu revealed that a joint task force comprising the military, Civil Defence, and the police is currently conducting clearance operations in border communities surrounding the FCT to preemptively tackle incursions by bandits attempting to relocate their activities.

“The success of these operations has contributed significantly to the peace observed over the past few weeks,” he noted.

To sustain this progress, Disu emphasized the need for heightened inter-state collaboration, stating that security agencies in contiguous states are already working on synchronized operations to ensure comprehensive policing and prevent cross-border criminal activities.

“The activities of the joint task force, comprising various security agencies, will continue with specific tasks assigned to each agency. We are confident that this collaborative approach will yield further positive outcomes,” he assured.

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Disu also reported that the Committee had deliberated on the ongoing profiling of market operators involved in scavenging activities, popularly known as “panteka” within the FCT. He further highlighted recent successful operations against infrastructure theft, including the recovery of stolen manhole covers and electrical cables.

“The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the tangible results of these operations and is committed to sustaining the momentum,” he added.

Addressing concerns over harassment and illegal levies imposed on FCT residents by touts operating under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Disu stated that enforcement operations were being planned to tackle the issue decisively. He urged residents to report incidents of harassment to the police using publicly available contact numbers.

…as Wike chairs 2025 First Security Committee Meeting

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday banned scavengers from operating within the nation’s capital.

The development is due to the unwanted removal of manhole covers in some parts of the city. 

The Commissioner of Police in FCT, Olatunji Disu, made this known while briefing reporters after the FCT Security Committee Meeting chaired by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Disu said the scavengers are allowed to operate only on dumpsites located in the outskirts of the city and suburbs.

He said: “All security agencies have been tasked with ensuring that this order is enforced, beginning from January 14, 2025.

The police boss said the administration has also banned the operation of ‘pantaker’ markets where fairly used items and scrap iron, including furniture and home appliances, are sold for two weeks, beginning from Tuesday across the nation’s capital.

Disu explained that the two-week suspension was to allow security agencies to profile the ‘pantaker’ operators.

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This, he said, would ensure that only legitimate operators operate in ‘Pantakers’ across the FCT.

He said the security committee has concluded that everybody arrested for vandalising public infrastructure would be charged to court and tried for economic sabotage, and if possible, attempted murder.

Disu emphasized the need for stricter penalties, noting that lenient punishments have allowed vandals to continue their activities.

“Many of these criminals are fined as little as ₦2,000 or given 24 strokes of the cane. This does nothing to deter them. Going forward, we will charge them with economic sabotage and, in severe cases, attempted murder or murder,” he said.

He highlighted the dangers posed by vandalism, such as the removal of manhole covers, which often lead to fatal accidents.

“These acts are enough to kill residents of the Federal Capital Territory. Imagine driving at night and falling into an open manhole. This is not just about infrastructure—it’s about lives,” CP Disu stated. He urged residents to view public infrastructure as shared property and report suspicious activities. “If you see something, say something. Let’s join hands to protect what belongs to all of us,” he added.

Addressing the persistent threat of “one chance” robbery, Disu revealed that the police made significant progress in 2024 by recovering 21 operational vehicles used by the criminals.

“Most of these vehicles were fully tinted, making it difficult for victims to seek help. We will continue with the intelligence-driven patrols and strategies that worked last year to reduce these crimes,” he said.

He explained that the criminals’ activities are treated as armed robbery and, in some cases, kidnapping under the law.

The Commissioner also responded to inquiries about the bomb blast in Bwari, assuring residents that investigations are ongoing.

“We are doing everything possible to unravel the matter. When the time is right, I will provide an update on our findings,” he said.

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has arrested sixteen suspects for vandalising street lights and other infrastructure across the nation Capital. 

AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Obuah, confirmed the arrest while briefing reporters on the development during the parade of some of the suspects.

Obuah revealed that on Thursday alone, five suspects were arrested with two others.

He emphasised the importance of public vigilance and media collaboration, stating: “Security is everyone’s responsibility. We’ve enlisted the support of local vigilantes and hunters, which led to today’s arrests”.

He warned that any individuals involved in vandalizing government property, including both vandals and buyers, would face legal action.

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The AMMC’s intensified efforts came amid rising concerns about damage to new solar-powered street lights, which were recently installed to improve public safety and visibility at night.

Aderemi Rashid, the contractor for the solar installations, reported that some equipment were stolen despite anti-theft measures in place. 

According to the Coordinator: “The equipment used suggests a level of sophistication beyond ordinary miscreants”.

Rashid said the vandalization possible with the involvement of well-equipped perpetrators.

In a separate incident, AMMC revealed that an expatriate contractor has been handed over to the police after being caught dismantling streetlight components. 

Obuah accused the contractor of damaging infrastructure as part of a ploy to secure future repair contracts. 

The AMMC has vowed to continue these operations and urged residents to report any suspicious activities related to public property vandalism.

The Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has demolished several structures in the Sabo Lugbe area of Abuja.

The development, FCTA said following the renewed fight against activities of land grabbers in the city.

FCTA officials accompanied by joint security personnel stormed and removed about 10 buildings, mostly duplexes and bungalows at their different stages of completion.

The buildings were demolished at the Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City (FCC), and were built without approvals from relevant authorities on Thursday.

Explaining the exercise, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCT Administration, said this is in continuation of its reinvigorated enforcement exercise 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 recalled that sometimes back, there was caution over the issue of land grabbing, during which the government warned that it was going to bounce on land grabbers, to make sure that all the structures that are close to 50 structures (duplexes and bungalows) will be brought down.

He 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.

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“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 an 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 where these land grabbers are having their feed day. The Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi area, and Lugbe. 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 phase 5 of the FCC   should be warned and beware. There is nothing like integration. Illegality is illegality, and we will continue to be removing them”.

On when the design and upgrading of the new phase 5 of the FCC into the Abuja Masterplan will be ready for use, the Director said: “I think the FCT Urban and Regional Planning is working hard on that.”