The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday demolished an estate comprising 11-storey buildings in the Apo-Dutse area of Abuja for violating building regulations and endangering public safety.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the affected structures — made up of three- and four-bedroom flats — were constructed directly beneath a high-tension power line and on the route of a proposed bridge, in clear violation of Abuja’s urban planning and safety standards.
Developer Ignored Repeated Warnings
The Director of the Department of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, who supervised the exercise, said the demolition became necessary after the developer ignored multiple stop-work orders and safety notices issued by the FCTA.
“No fewer than 11-storey buildings were demolished in Apo-Dutse after the developer failed to comply with building regulations and disregarded all official communications,” Galadima said.
“The location of the estate poses serious safety risks. It sits directly under a high-tension power line and obstructs the corridor of a bridge already approved for construction in the area,” he added.
Allocation Done in Error
Galadima revealed that although the developers initially received a land allocation, it was granted in error, as the site’s proximity to both a high-tension line and a stream channel made it unsuitable for residential development.
He explained that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Engineering Department had notified the Department of plans to build a bridge on the same corridor, leaving the FCTA with no alternative but to remove the illegal estate to make way for the project.
“The department had earlier declined the developer’s building plan approval due to safety concerns. Despite this, they proceeded with construction,” he said.
No Compensation for Illegal Construction
The FCTA Director clarified that the demolished estate would not be eligible for compensation, since it lacked the required development approval.
He added that only properties with valid permits qualify for compensation when affected by public infrastructure projects.
Galadima further disclosed that the FCTA may prosecute the developers and seek to recover demolition costs, citing deliberate violations of Abuja’s building control laws.
“We are considering legal action against the developers for breaching city planning regulations. They knowingly violated safety and environmental standards,” he stated.
Broader Urban Enforcement Campaign
The Apo-Dutse demolition forms part of the FCTA’s renewed enforcement drive to restore the Abuja Master Plan and eliminate illegal structures that compromise public safety.
In August 2025, the administration carried out a similar operation, clearing over 1,000 shanties and unapproved buildings in Karsana, near Gwarinpa, as part of efforts to remove encroachments on road corridors and green zones.
The FCTA says these operations are intended to protect life, property, and infrastructure, ensuring that all developments across the nation’s capital conform to approved engineering, safety, and planning standards.
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