The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Task Force has halted construction activities at the disputed River Park Estate in Lugbe, Abuja, and arrested workers who allegedly violated a subsisting court order.
An Abuja High Court had directed parties in the estate dispute to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of ownership and development rights.
On Wednesday, task force officials, supported by security agencies, stormed the estate to enforce compliance. Some workers were taken into custody for ignoring the stop-work order.
The FCT Administration also demolished more than 30 substructures, accusing developers of violating planning regulations. Officials said the affected parties had continued building despite the withdrawal of their lease agreements and recommendations that undeveloped plots be reverted to the FCTA.
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FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had, on August 8, 2025, inaugurated an ad hoc committee chaired by lawyer Salman Dako to review the estate issues. The committee’s report, submitted last week, recommended revoking undeveloped plots that breached the Development Lease Agreement (DLA) while allowing valid customary title holders to retain their plots if developed in line with regulations.
Director of Development Control Mukhtar Galadima, who led the enforcement, said developers rushed construction in defiance of official directives.
“About a week ago, one of the committees on River Park Estate recommended that all undeveloped plots within the estate be reverted to the FCTA. We got reports that certain developers were hurriedly working day and night. As an agency, we served them notice to stop work. This morning, we saw them still working, so we are removing the structures and excavating all those foundations,” Galadima said.
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He confirmed that over 30 foundations had already been dug, stressing that they would be covered to prevent further development.
“Whatever we see on site, we remove it. Luckily, they are just at excavation level. But wherever we see any new development coming up, we will remove it again,” he warned.
Despite the stop-work order, construction reportedly continued in some sections of the estate, including Sector Centre and Cluster 3.
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.
