The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has condemned the construction of buildings on land allocated to foreign embassies in the diplomatic zone of Katampe Extension, Abuja, describing the structures as illegal.
Wike spoke on March 13, 2026, while addressing journalists during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the illegal structures would not be allowed to remain and directed that the affected buildings be demolished.
During the tour, the minister inspected several road and infrastructure projects, including the route linking Wuse to the Central Area, a road near the Body of Benchers complex, and the Tungan-Madaki road off the airport corridor.
He expressed optimism that many of the projects would be completed in time for activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on the illegal development on embassy land, Wike explained that the plots were originally allocated on March 18, 2008, to various diplomatic missions for residential purposes but were later taken over by an alleged illegal developer who began construction without approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority.
“This land was allocated to various embassies in 2008. Somebody just came here, took the land, and started developing it on their own without approval from the FCDA. We cannot allow this kind of land invasion to continue,” he said.
The minister listed the diplomatic missions affected to include Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
He added that a portion of the land had also been reserved for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria for a 132/133KV power station.
Wike said the FCT Administration had directed the Department of Development Control to demolish all structures on the land and restore it to its original purpose.
“I have told them to bring down every building standing on this land,” he said, adding that the affected embassies would be formally notified to take possession of their allocated plots.
The minister also disclosed that the suspected developer had been arrested and would soon be prosecuted.
“The man has been arrested and he will be charged in court. The police are carrying out their investigation and he will be charged any moment from now,” he said.
