FCTA Demolishes 11 Duplexes In Abuja District

FCTA Demolishes 11 Duplexes in Abuja’s Dutse District Over Safety Violations

In a decisive move to enforce urban planning regulations and uphold public safety, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday, October 16, 2025, carried out the demolition of 11 duplexes in the Dutse District of Abuja.

The structures, which were reportedly erected under high-tension power lines and in close proximity to a stream channel, were deemed illegal and hazardous by the Department of Development Control.

The enforcement operation was led by Mukhtar Galadima, Director of the Department of Development Control, who emphasized that the buildings had been constructed despite repeated warnings and the administration’s refusal to grant building plan approvals.

According to Galadima, the developers had applied for approvals which were denied due to the location’s inherent risks. Nevertheless, construction proceeded in defiance of official directives.

Galadima explained that the FCTA had issued multiple stop-work notices and formal letters at various stages of the construction process, from excavation to near completion. These notices were ignored, with developers allegedly relying on the influence of their institutions or agencies to bypass regulatory compliance. The situation escalated when the FCTA’s engineering department notified the Development Control unit of plans to construct a bridge across the same stream channel, prompting a reassessment of the area and the discovery of the illegal structures.

While the demolished plots were statutorily allocated, Galadima clarified that the affected developers had not formally applied for relocation or alternative sites. He noted that the FCTA is open to considering such applications through appropriate administrative channels.

In a stern warning to prospective developers, Galadima reiterated the importance of securing proper approvals before embarking on construction projects within the Federal Capital Territory. He cautioned that failure to comply with urban planning laws would result in severe penalties, including demolition. He further disclosed that the FCTA is working with the Legal Secretariat to finalize frameworks that would allow the administration to surcharge violators for the cost of demolition and site mobilization, in accordance with the Urban and Regional Planning Law.

The demolition underscores the FCTA’s commitment to enforcing planning regulations and ensuring that development within Abuja adheres to safety and environmental standards. It also serves as a reminder that disregard for legal procedures in urban development will not be tolerated, regardless of the status or affiliations of the developers involved.