News

FCT Residents Panic, Kick As Wike Threatens To Pull Down 6000 Buildings

Published

3 years ago

August 23, 2023

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have frowned on the position of the minister of FCT to demolish no fewer than 6000 buildings in the city, saying they would not support any indiscriminate destruction of properties.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who dropped the hint on resuming office on Monday, vowed that all illegal buildings distorting the Abuja master plan would be pulled down.

Wike vowed to flatten all illegal buildings even if they belonged to a minister or an ambassador.

But speaking with newsmen, a Kubwa resident, Tola Anya-Nuga declared that Wike’s threat came at a time when citizens were going through a lot and the country’s economy was not doing well.

He stated, “The truth is that no one will ever support the demolition of properties but if the areas will affect or have continued to affect the citizens such as houses on canals or under high tension wires, demolishing such places is a good idea.

“Wike’s speech came at the wrong time because he presented a heart-breaking speech. It can give one hypertension. The country is tense and things are very expensive. Wike and the FG should allow the poor to breathe. He should not have talked about demolition on his first day in office.”

Another resident, Abayomi Samuel, lamented the hardship in the country, adding that the government should look for ways to manage the planned demolitions.

Samuel stated, “Whatever Wike meant by restoring the Abuja Master plan or demolishing people’s property if it is against the will of the people. I can never support that.

“If Wike is talking about the illegal structures in metropolitan places in Abuja, the government should see how it can manage the situation especially if land-owners or house-owners got their certificates from FCDA and others.

“But when we talk about satellite towns and villages like Jikwoyi, Kubwa, etc, what does Wike want to demolish? People are struggling day and night.”

A Kuje resident, and commercial motorcyclist, who simply identified himself as Michael, said though he did not have a house that could be demolished, he hoped that the Wike-led FCT administration would not revoke his land, which he bought from Abuja indigenes.

He said, “I haven’t started building, I just bought land for keeps from an indigene. I didn’t buy from the FCTA, I bought from the indigenes, and it is not every land or house from indigenes that will be revoked or demolished.

“There are some places that have been revoked. So, if they have been revoked, they would likely not touch those places. But for mine, it hasn’t been revoked, I just bought it and I’m trusting God that it is safe.”

Alhaji Kassim said the demolition would make life more difficult for the poor, adding that the government should first create an avenue for the survival of those whose houses may be demolished.

“Instead of looking for where to develop, Wike is looking for where to demolish. We have so many places that are not developed, let him do it first. And then, let them create a place where they can push people to.

“Even, if they want to demolish, if truly the government wants to work well, first create an avenue where they (people) can survive, then you can make a correction; if truly you are for correction,’’ he admonished.

A Kabusa resident, Chinedu Nwachukuwu noted, “Being his first day in office, the minister should have said things that would make residents glad to have him, rather than issuing threats. People living in Abuja are citizens of Nigeria, and their dignity needs to be respected by the government.’’

Stephen Aghedo, who also lives in Kabusa, warned, “This isn’t Rivers State where Wike ruled with impunity during his time as governor. This is the FCT, and he needs to be careful with his utterances and actions.”

Ade Ogundiran, a resident of Dogongada, said, “We only hope that the minister would do everything within the ambit of the law and not take irrational decisions that’ll affect residents and impede the development of the FCT.

“Mr Wike is known for talking too much, however, he should remember that there are people who bought their lands through the proper channels, and destroying properties built on such lands is illegal.”

But Juliet Ndichie expressed concern regarding the deteriorating status of the Federal Capital Territory as a modern city.

According to her, Abuja has become a safe haven for criminals, leading to a rise in various nefarious activities that pose a threat to its residents.

Ndichie, who lives in Dawaki, asked the new administration to tackle crime and make the city safe.

Martha Ibrahim, who stays in Lugbe, expressed support for Wike’s move to restore the master plan, arguing that it is in the best interest of the inhabitants.

On her part, Fatima Farouq said, “If Wike follows the Masterplan for the FCT, it will be for the growth and development of the city. It may seem difficult now, but in the long run, we will appreciate it.

“Abuja was not like this and the way people are building houses anyhow, if care is not taken, we may not be able to control it, and it will be a shame to us as a nation.”

The Treasurer of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Lagos Chapter, Philips Ayotunde, endorsed the move to sanitise the FCT but cautioned against selective enforcement of the law and witch-hunt of opposition party members.

He said, “The question is if they would not be selective in their approach because that has often been the norm in Nigeria. Politicians often go after their political rivals. If only they would embrace fairness, justice, and transparency.

“I support the removal of buildings on development of green areas and removal of buildings without approvals. But they should not be selective in their approach.

“When you apply the law on those you are seeing as political rivals and the same law is exempted on your favourites, it would not result in fairness.”

They appealed to Wike not to worsen hardship in the country.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.

“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.

“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.

DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

News

IGP Orders Officers Display Name Tag On Uniform, Gives Update On State Police

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunji Disu, has ordered all police personnel to always have their name tags on their uniforms for easy identification.

Disu disclosed that only police personnel who are undercover are exempted from displaying their name tags.

Speaking on Tuesday, Disu said: “All police officers should have their name tags. All of us on the high table have our names apart from the undercover among us so if you look at all the Commissioners of Police we have our name tags, so it’s not our standard.

News

Court Orders SERAP To Pay DSS Operatives N100m For Defamation

Published

14 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered a non-governmental organization, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, to pay N100 million as damaged to two operatives of the Department of the State Services, DSS, for unjustly defaming them in some publications.

The court also ordered SERAP to tender public apologies to the defamed officers,
Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, in two national newspapers, two television stations and its website.

Besides, the organization was also ordered to pay the two operatives N1 million as cost of litigation and 10 percent post-judgment interest annually on the judgment sum until it’s fully liquidated.

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory gave the order on Tuesday while delivering judgment in a N5.5 billion defamation suit instituted against SERAP by the DSS operatives.

The judge found SERAP liable for unjustly defaming the two DSS operatives with allegations that they unlawfully invaded its Abuja office, harassed and intimidated its staff, in September 2024.

In the offending publication on its website and Twitter handle, SERAP alleged that the two operatives unlawfully invaded and occupied its office with sinister motives.

The judge held that the publication was in bad taste especially from an organization established to promote transparency and accountability, as nothing in the publication was found to be truthful.

The DSS staff had listed SERAP as 1st defendant in the suit marked CV/4547/2024. SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, was listed as the 2nd defendant.

In the suit, the claimants – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – accused the two defendants of making false claims that they invaded SERAP’s Abuja office on September 9, 2024..

Counsel to the DSS, Oluwagbemileke Samuel Kehinde, had while adopting his final address in the mater urged the judge to grant all the reliefs sought by his client in the interest of justice.

He admitted that although the names of the two claimants were not mentioned in the defamation materials, they had however established substantial circumstances that they are the ones referred to in the published defamation article by SERAP on its website.

The counsel submitted that all ingredients of defamation have been clearly established and the offending publication referred to the two officials of the secret police.

However, SERAP, through its counsel, Victoria Bassey from Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, law firm, asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that the two claimants did not establish that they were the ones referred to in the alleged defamation materials.

She said that SERAP used “DSS officials” in the alleged offending publication, adding that the two claimants must establish that they are the ones referred to before their case can succeed.

Similar arguments were canvassed by Oluwatosin Adefioye who stood for the second defendant, adding that there was no dispute in the September 9, 2024 operation of DSS in SERAP’s office.

He said that since SERAP in the publication did not name any particular person, the claimants must plead special circumstances that they were the ones referred to as the DSS officials.

Besides, he said that there is no organization by name Department of State Services in law, hence, DSS cannot claim being defamed adding that the only entity known to law is National Security Agency.

The claimants had in the suit stated that the alleged false claim by SERAP has negatively impacted on their reputation.

The DSS also stated, in the statement of claim, that, in line with the agency’s practice of engaging with officials of non-governmental organisations operating in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed the two officials – John and Ogunleye – to visit SERAP’s office and invite them for a familiarization meeting.

The claimants added that in carrying out the directive, John and Ogunleye paid a friendly visit to SERAP’s office at 18 Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja on September 9 and met with one Ruth, who upon being informed about the purpose of the visit, claimed that none of SERAP’s management staff was in the country and advised that a formal letter of invitation be written by the DSS.

John and Ogundele, who claimed that their interactions with Ruth were recorded, said before they immediately exited SERAP’s office, Ruth promised to inform her organisation’s management about the visit and volunteered a phone number – 08160537202.

They said it was surprising that, shortly after their visit, SERAP posted on its X (Twitter) handle – @SERAPNigeria – that officers of the DSS are presently unlawfully occupying its office.

The claimant added, “On the same day, the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s website, which was widely reported by several media outfits, falsely alleging that some officers from the DSS, described as “a tall, large, dark-skinned woman” and “a slim, dark skinned man,” invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff of the first defendant (SERAP).

John and Ogundele stated that “due to the false statements published by the defendants, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticised by international agencies such as the Amnesty International and prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana (SAN)”.

“Due to the false statements published by the defendants, members of the public and the international community formed the opinion that the Federal Government is using the DSS to harass the defendants.”

They added that the defendants’ statements caused harm to their reputation because the staff and management of the DSS have formed the opinion that the claimants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation and are therefore, incompetent and unprofessional.

The claimants therefore prayed the court for the following reliefs: “An order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP’s) website, X (twitter) handle, two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard) and two national news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading the first defendant’s office and interrogating the first defendant’s staff.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N5 billion as damages for the libellous statements published about the claimants.

“Interest on the sum of N5b at the rate of 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N50 million as costs of this action.”