The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-story hotel that collapsed last Friday, April 4, in Jikwoyi, Abuja. He further announced that the land will be seized and repurposed for public use.
According to reports, the building gave way while workers were on site, prompting an emergency response from authorities. During a site visit on April 7, Wike revealed that the hotel was constructed without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control, and that all stop-work notices issued to the developer had been ignored.
While no lives were lost, several people sustained injuries and were hospitalized. Wike warned that the incident could have resulted in far greater casualties.
He confirmed that the FCT Administration would reclaim the land for public projects, and that those responsible for the illegal construction would face prosecution under the law. The minister also stated that the local community will be consulted to determine an appropriate public-use project for the site.
