On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) arrested two suspected land racketeers for selling plots of land to unsuspecting Ungwan Zaki residents in Jahi District.

Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, FCTA, who stated this in Abuja during the demolition of illegal structures in the Jahi community, said there would be no compensation for the victims.

Mr Galadima said the suspects, Yusuf Ibrahim, popularly known as Baban Kalifa, and Prophet Emmanuel Ayisa, would be prosecuted according to the law.

“We have warned people to beware because every land in Abuja has been planned for something. We equally warned residents not to buy land from local chiefs. You have to go to the appropriate authority,” he said.

He stressed that the authority would not give them compensation for their loss and advised people to consult appropriate authorities to search for whatever property they wanted to buy.

The director said, “I feel their pain, but whatever it is, it is illegal, and that is why we are removing it.”

The Deputy Director and Head of Enforcement, Hassan Ogbole, said the area was reserved for a road corridor between Kado and Jahi Districts.

Mr Ogbole said the enforcement team visited the area five times, adding that the people often return and rebuild after every demolition.

Also, Peter Olumuji, secretary, command and control, FCTA, explained that the arrest was based on intelligence reports by security agencies who gathered that people were contributing money to bribe the enforcement team.

One of the victims, Florence Emedo, said she bought the land about two years ago and was assured that the area would not be demolished and that she could stay there for 10 years.

“We were told that the traditional leader of the area, called Zaki of Kado, was fully aware of the land, which was initially being sold for N75,000,” 

she stated.

Another victim, Owadia Valentina, said she bought the plot for N450,000 while some bought between N100,000 and N200,000.

“He assured us that we can stay for 10 years and that there is already an agreement on the land. I moved in October last year, and I just painted two months ago,” she said.

However, one of the suspects, Mr Ibrahim, denied the allegation, claiming they had not sold land to anyone in the area.

(NAN)