Wike to Meet IGP Over illegal Demolition of police building in Abuja

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said he will meet with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, following the demolition of several residential duplexes reportedly built by the Nigeria Police Force under a high-tension power line in Apo Dutse District, Abuja.

The demolition, carried out by officials of the FCT Department of Development Control, took place on Thursday and affected at least eleven units of three- and four-bedroom flats.

The exercise, which was aimed at enforcing safety and planning laws, reportedly turned tense when police officers arrested some of the development control staff during the operation.During his inspection of the site on Friday, Wike described the situation as unfortunate and maintained that the demolition was lawful.

He explained that although the land had been allocated to the Nigeria Police for institutional purposes, construction approval was denied due to the dangers posed by the power line running directly above the area.Wike noted that the demolition was necessary to protect lives and ensure compliance with building regulations.

He said his meeting with the police chief would address the arrest of the FCT officials and help prevent future clashes between government institutions carrying out their lawful duties.

The Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, confirmed that the demolished property was located on Plot 189 (B14) in Dutse District.

He said the land was given to the Police in 2018 and that the developers were warned several times to stop work after approval was denied. According to him, the department issued multiple stop-work notices in July, but construction continued in defiance of the order.

Galadima added that the Department of Engineering Services had earlier informed Development Control about plans to build a flood-control bridge near the site, making it even more unsafe for residential buildings. He said allowing such illegal structures to stand would have been a risk to public safety.

The meeting between the FCT Minister and the Inspector-General of Police is expected to address the arrest of the FCT officials and ensure better coordination between agencies responsible for enforcing urban planning and safety regulations in the capital.