The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to continue demolishing properties in Abuja, stating that he will not be deterred by blackmail.
He explained that the structures being removed by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) are illegal constructions on government land.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja, we are not afraid of blackmail,” Wike declared during the distribution of operational vehicles to security agencies at the FCTA Secretariat on Thursday, November 12.
“In fact, you cannot be in this kind of position and say you cannot be blackmailed, especially in Abuja. There are so many land grabbers. Some of us have come to put our feet down. Let heaven fall. It is even better that heaven comes down now so that we would not be fasting again to go to heaven.”
The FCTA has recently intensified the demolition of illegal structures in estates and shanties across Abuja.
While the move has sparked protests and criticism, Wike remains firm, vowing to take action against any illegally constructed buildings or shanties.
“We will stop anybody who thinks they can take government land for any reason without formal approval. We won’t care who you are. If you like, be a civil rights activist or a television personality,” he stated. “What is wrong is wrong, and no amount of blackmail can stop us. People take government property without approval or documentation.”
On the same day, the Senate initiated an investigation into the demolitions, establishing a committee to examine the issue.
