FCTA Pulls Down 11 Illegal Duplexes in Dutse District Built Under High-Tension Lines, Stream Channel
Story: Written by Daniel October 17,2025
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished 11 duplexes in Abuja’s Dutse District for violating development regulations by being constructed beneath high-tension power lines and along a stream channel.
The demolition, carried out on Thursday, was supervised by the Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, who disclosed that the action followed repeated warnings and stop-work notices ignored by the developer.
“This area—Garba Duba Street, Dutse District, Phase Two of the Federal Capital City—is close to Cedarcrest and Amina Court. The plot was duly allocated, but when the developer applied for a building plan approval, it was denied because the site falls within a restricted zone near a high-tension line and a stream channel,” Galadima explained.
He added that despite multiple notices served from the early stages of excavation, the developer went ahead with construction. The FCTA decided to act after receiving reports that the developer planned to build bridges within the restricted area.
Galadima noted that although the demolished property was legally allocated, the administration might consider granting an alternative plot. However, he emphasized that the developer would not receive any compensation since the structures lacked proper approval.
The Development Control boss also revealed that the FCTA is considering introducing new legislation to compel defaulting developers to pay fines after illegal structures are pulled down.
