Residents of Katampe Extension in Abuja have urgently called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene in the ongoing illegal activities of land grabbers and the reckless use of explosives in their community.
The residents voiced their concerns while showing journalists the severe damage caused by the activities of land speculators.
According to the residents, vital natural waterways and drainage channels, which are crucial for managing stormwater, have been obstructed or allocated to developers. This has raised alarms about the potential destabilization of the Lower Usuma Dam and the overall environmental risks to the area.
Wole Atolagbe, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Katampe Extension Residents Association (KERA), explained that developers have been using high-caliber explosives to create illegal connections between Katampe Extension and nearby districts in Bwari, such as Usuma and Jikoko. “This reckless blasting is not just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of safety for our community,” Atolagbe said.
Residents are also concerned about the increased risk of crime, including kidnappings, as the development of previously remote hills has created new access routes for criminals.
KERA Vice President, Austin Maho, linked the recent earth tremors in the area to the frequent use of explosives by developers. “The noise from the explosions is deafening, and our buildings shake to their foundations. We are increasingly uncertain about the integrity of our homes,” Maho added. He also noted that a former FCT minister had previously halted the illegal activities, but they have resumed covertly.
Muhammed Gimba, the president of KERA, urged both the government and lawmakers to take immediate action to protect their community. “We are appealing to Minister Nyesom Wike to restore the district to its original master plan and protect the community from further harm,” Gimba said. He further called on the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on the FCT, to investigate the situation and bring the illegal activities to a halt.
