The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished 11 duplexes in Dutse District, Abuja, citing flagrant violations of city planning regulations and disregard for official directives.
The buildings, located along Garba Duba Street, were constructed directly beneath high-tension electricity lines and across stream channels—posing serious safety and environmental risks.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the enforcement operation on Thursday, said the developers were repeatedly warned but chose to continue construction despite being denied building approval.
“They applied for building plan approval, which we refused because of the proximity to high-tension lines and a stream channel. Yet, they proceeded with construction. We served them notices at every stage—from excavation to completion—but they ignored us,” Galadima said.
He condemned the developers’ defiance, warning that the administration would no longer tolerate such recklessness.
“If you don’t respect the laws, we will let you waste your money and then pull the structure down. Once you are served a stop-work notice, you must comply or face the consequences,” he cautioned.
Galadima disclosed that the FCTA, in collaboration with its Legal Secretariat, is finalising plans to surcharge erring developers in accordance with the Urban and Regional Planning Act.
“Illegal developers will now bear the cost of demolition and pay penalties for violating regulations. We’re putting mechanisms in place to ensure strict enforcement,” he said.
The Development Control chief added that although the land in question is a statutory allocation—and the administration may consider alternative plots for affected institutions—such consideration does not excuse the illegality of building without approval.
“Nobody is above the law,” Galadima stressed. “Whether an individual, agency, or institution, the development regulations of the Federal Capital Territory must be obeyed.”
