The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday intensified its clampdown on illegal developments at the controversial River Park Estate in Lugbe, halting construction, demolishing more than 30 building foundations, and arresting 15 workers accused of defying a subsisting court order and ministerial directive.
The dramatic operation, led by the Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation under Director of Development Control Mukhtar Galadima, comes after weeks of growing tension between estate developers and FCT authorities over ownership and development rights.
Despite an Abuja High Court’s order to maintain the status quo, intelligence reports revealed that some developers were rushing work under cover of night to outpace enforcement. Galadima said the task force acted on fresh violations:
“We got reports that certain developers were hurriedly working day and night despite our stop-work notice. This morning, we saw them still working, so we removed the structures and excavated all those foundations.”
Over 30 newly dug foundations were destroyed, and Galadima warned of sustained enforcement:
“Wherever we see any new development coming up, we will remove it again.”
The crackdown led to the arrest of 15 workers reportedly hired by developer Paul Odili of Paulo Homes. According to ACP Mohammed Iya, Chief Security Officer to the FCT Minister, Odili allegedly threatened FCTA staff and ignored multiple summons. He was detained briefly before being granted bail on health grounds.
The enforcement aligns with recommendations from a ministerial ad-hoc committee inaugurated by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in August, which called for revoking undeveloped or non-compliant plots, reverting them to the FCTA, and protecting valid title holders to safeguard the Abuja Master Plan.
Galadima dismissed claims of bias, stressing the action is lawful:
“This is not a witch-hunt. We are implementing the recommendations of a legally constituted committee and upholding the Master Plan.”
River Park Estate, a prime development along Airport Road, has long been a flashpoint in disputes between the government, developers, and allottees—underscoring the high stakes in Abuja’s ongoing battle over land use and compliance.