Godwin Orozo, Abuja-
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has apologised to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, following a viral video showing a heated confrontation between him and armed naval officers at a disputed property in Gaduwa District. While expressing regret over the incident, the administration stood its ground, insisting the development in question was illegal.
Speaking after Thursday’s FCT Executive Committee meeting, senior FCTA officials gave a detailed account of events, stressing that individuals associated with former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), lacked any legal title to the land.
Director of the Department of Development Control, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, began with an open apology to the minister.
“It is with a sense of commitment, emotion and regret that we address this press conference on the incident that happened on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Gaduwa District,” Galadima said.
He recounted that during a routine monitoring exercise on October 17, FCTA staff discovered an ongoing construction within the Southern Parkway corridor. Attempts to verify approval documents were met with hostility.
“We were confronted by stiff resistance and threats to shoot from men of the Nigerian Navy,” Galadima narrated. “What was eventually provided was merely a letter of intent issued in 2007 by the Department of Parks and Recreation, not a formal approval.”
He said he engaged the site officer directly, reminding him that the development had no legal basis.
“I said, as a lawyer, there is a clear difference between submission and approval, and you know it is illegal to commence development in the Federal Capital Territory without approval. He said he is aware, but the solution is under process. I said, then this development is illegal.”
According to him, the presence of armed personnel prompted him to escalate the matter.
“We noticed the impending danger because armed men were strategically positioned, ready to shoot. And seeing this, I sent a distress call to the Honourable Minister,” he explained.
“I want to sincerely apologise to the Honourable Minister for dragging him into this situation. I apologise to the Honourable Minister, indeed to all Nigerians for what happened.”
Director of Lands Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, reinforced the legal position of the FCTA, stressing that the claimants had no recognised title.
“The claimants have relied on a letter of intent issued by the Department of Parks and Recreation in 2007, 18 years ago,” he said. “Letter of intent, not statutory right of occupancy. I wish to make it clear that in the FCT, the only thing that gives you title to land is statutory right of occupancy. Letter of intent is not a title.”
Nwankwoeze added that the claimants failed to meet fundamental conditions.
“They did not develop and complete development on the site within one year as required,” he noted. “Beyond not having title, in Abuja you cannot build anything without approval of the plans you submitted to ascertain that what you propose to develop is in line with the dictates of the master plan.”
Despite expressing remorse over the public confrontation, both officials insisted that their enforcement action and subsequent clarification were essential to safeguarding the Abuja master plan and ensuring compliance with the FCT Act of 1976 and the Urban and Regional Planning Law of 1992.
