The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has raised fresh concerns over the rising cases of land grabbing in Abuja, warning that the menace is scaring investors, draining public trust, and worsening the city’s investment climate.
Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, sounded the alarm while speaking at the official launch of Property Brokers International Magazine in Abuja.
“The issue of land grabbing is creating a bad image, which is making investments difficult. People have been losing their money on land grabbing and fraudulent documentation,” CP Adewale lamented.
He stressed that collaboration with investigative journalists could help expose culprits, ensure prosecution, and discourage fraudulent practices in the sector.
“With investigative journalists like Mikey Badin working with us, there will be sanity in the industry. If offenders know they will be arrested and prosecuted, crime and criminality will reduce,” he added.
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Abuja, despite being the seat of power, has, over the years, gained notoriety for shady property dealings, fraudulent documentation, and double allocations. This environment, the police noted, has tarnished the city’s reputation and discouraged both local and foreign investors.
Industry stakeholders argue that the lack of transparency and weak enforcement in land transactions has left many Nigerians at the mercy of fake developers and speculators.
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Speaking at the event, Matthew Ibadin, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Property Brokers International Magazine, pledged that the new publication will set standards in property investigation and education, focusing on due diligence to protect investors.
“Abuja is one of the poorest states in Nigeria and Africa at large. We want to make a statement and promote property education so that people get value for their money,” Ibadin explained.
He emphasized that the magazine would work closely with security agencies, including the Nigerian Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as government regulators, to tackle fraudulent practices in real estate.
“There are criminals hiding under the name of real estate. Not everybody is bad, but we must separate the genuine developers from the fraudulent ones. With thorough due diligence and proper documentation, we can sanitize the industry,” he said.
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Property Brokers International Magazine says it will advocate land and property reform in Nigeria, pushing for stricter documentation processes and transparency in land administration. The platform also aims to educate the public, investors, and policymakers on best practices.
Stakeholders believe that with the combined efforts of law enforcement, investigative journalists, and credible property professionals, Abuja’s real estate market can gradually regain investor confidence and deliver genuine value to citizens.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
