Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has criticised what he called an unlawful seizure of a disputed Abuja site by soldiers who were said to be acting for a former Chief of Naval Staff. He went to the location on Tuesday after hearing that FCTA staff enforcing development orders had been driven away.
“You are aware that the land departments and the Development Control have the mandate to monitor illegal development and land grabbing,” the minister said. He warned that no one, regardless of past rank, will be allowed to intimidate officials or block the law.
Wike said FCTA officers were on site to carry out his orders when armed soldiers forced them off the land. “I was informed that the soldiers of the military had to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally,” Wike said. He described it as unacceptable for a former top officer to use force instead of following legal steps.
“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what is going on.’ But simply because he’s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” he said.
When asked for proof of right to the land, the occupiers produced no papers, Wike added. “The Director of Development Control said, ‘Bring the documents’ they don’t have them. ‘Bring approval for building’ they don’t have it. How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those who don’t have the military behind them? What about ordinary Nigerians?”
Wike said he has raised the issue with senior military leaders. “I have spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff. They assured me that the matter will be resolved. We’re not here to have a shootout with anybody or cause chaos,” Wike said.
He vowed the FCT Administration will not allow misuse of military power to stop lawful city control. “But I will not allow this to happen. The same way we enforce our laws in other areas is the same way it will be done here. Nobody whether a former Chief of Naval Staff or anyone else will be allowed to carry out illegal development on government land.”
Wike said the FCTA will press on with efforts to recover and protect public land, and will hold to the rule of law no matter who is involved.
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