Wike orders arrest of Jikwoyi building owner

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has directed the immediate arrest of the owner of a collapsed building in Jikwoyi and ordered government’s takeover of the land for public use, vowing zero tolerance for illegal constructions.

The three-storey building under construction collapsed in Jikwoyi Phase 1, on Friday, April 3.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting the site yesterday, Wike revealed that the building lacked any development approval despite repeated stop-work orders from the FCT Development Control Department.

“There was no approval for the construction of this building. In spite of the fact that the development control had issued notice not to continue, the company hesitated and continued,” he stated.

The minister noted that the collapse occurred last Friday, prompting a rapid response from the authorities. Thankfully, he said no lives were lost, though several people sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital. “Through the glory of God, nobody died, but some people were injured,” he noted.

In a decisive move, he announced that the government would seize the land and consult  Jikwoyi community on its future public use, such as community facilities.

“The government will immediately take over this lot of land and then,  find out from the community what they would want the government to build for them for a variety of public purposes,” he said.

He emphasised the simplicity of compliance: developers must obtain approval from Development Control, disclose materials and allow supervision. He warned of broader enforcement, promising to demolish any unapproved structures across the FCT, regardless of who is involved. “We are going to bring some building down, irrespective of who is involved,” he affirmed.