The FCT Administration through its Department of Development Control Tuesday reclaimed over 100 hectares of land in Gosa district after demolishing some buildings.
The Director of the department, Tlp Mukhtar Galadima, emphasised the collaboration with EFCC, ICPC, and the Nigerian police to apprehend perpetrators involved in illegal land-grabbing activities.
Galadima highlighted the importance of eliminating land-grabbing cases to prevent unsuspecting Nigerians from purchasing properties acquired through deceitful means.
He reiterated the FCTA’s commitment to addressing such incidents, referencing similar actions taken near the train station last year. The reclaimed land, allocated to a corporate entity for housing estates, was illegally fenced off by encroachers. Galadima assured that all illegal fences would be removed to prevent further encroachment.
He urged prospective land buyers to conduct due diligence by verifying land allocations with relevant government agencies, including the Department of Lands Administration, Development Control, and Urban and Regional Planning. Regarding sustainability plans, Galadima outlined ongoing efforts to monitor the environment regularly, with particular attention to Gosa District’s development designated by Urban and Regional Planning.
Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary of Command and Control at FCTA, condemned land grabbers’ criminal activities, including falsification of documents and violent confrontations with authorities.
He affirmed that the eight perpetrators arrested during the operation would face legal consequences.