FCT MINISTER CONDEMNS ILLEGAL POLICE ESTATE CONSTRUCTION, INSIST ON DEMOLITION OVER HIGH TENSION RISK

By: Wisdom Acka

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has expressed dismay over the illegal construction of a Nigeria Police Force estate under high-tension power lines in Apo-Dutse District.

The Minister who stated this on Friday, 17th October, 2025, described it as a “reckless risk to public safety.”

The estate, at advanced state of completion, which was demolished yesterday by the FCTA Department of Development Control, had been flagged for violating urban planning regulations and obstructing a proposed bridge project.

During today’s unplanned inspection of the site, Wike emphasized that no institution, including the police, is above the law.

Accompanied by the Director of the Development Control, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, amongst many others, the Minister recounted how the Police ignored repeated warnings to halt construction on site.

“It’s unfortunate. The Development Control team reported that they had to intervene because the police built this estate directly under high-tension lines. They applied for approval, but it was denied. Yet, they continued construction,” Wike stated.

“Look at where the high tension is! Assuming there was no high tension, the mere fact that Development Control refused approval means you cannot take the law into your hands just because you have force. Government exists to enforce rules, not break them.”

The Minister revealed that some members of the FCTA enforcement team, mainly Police officers, were briefly detained by the Police after yesterday’s demolition, prompting his personal intervention.

Noting that the Inspector-General of Police may not be aware of the development, he underscored the necessity of meeting with the IGP for the way forward

Galadima, who was invited by the Minister to further explain, stated that the FCTA had “acted to avert disaster.”

Providing further details, the Director stressed that the Police had been notified as far back as July 2023 but disregarded all notices.

He said: “This is Plot 189, Cadastral Zone B14, allocated to the Nigeria Police Force in 2018 for institutional development.

“When they sought approval, we inspected the site and declined due to the high-tension lines. We wrote to them, but they excavated and began construction anyway.”

He also revealed that the Department of Engineering also flagged the site for a pending bridge project to address chronic flooding in the area.

“The bridge’s footing would occupy part of this land. We forwarded the engineering report to the police, but they ignored it. With such glaring risks, we couldn’t fold our arms, lives are at stake,” he added.