The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished a sprawling estate in Abuja reportedly worth billions of naira after authorities alleged that the development was illegally constructed on land designated for foreign diplomatic missions.

The demolition exercise, carried out in the Katampe Extension Diplomatic Zone, was ordered by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following findings that the land had been allocated to several foreign embassies and reserved government purposes.

According to FCTA officials, the affected plots were originally allocated in 2008 to diplomatic missions, including those of Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Japan, Palestine, Senegal, Austria, and Switzerland. Part of the land was also earmarked for a power infrastructure project.

Speaking on the development, Wike described the construction as an illegal encroachment on government property and vowed that the administration would not tolerate violations of Abuja's master plan. He directed the Department of Development Control to remove all unauthorized structures on the site.

The minister further revealed that the developer behind the project had been arrested and would face prosecution after the completion of investigations by security agencies.

The demolition has sparked widespread reactions, given the scale of the estate and the enormous investment reportedly lost. However, authorities insist the action was necessary to protect public assets and preserve the integrity of the Federal Capital Territory's development framework.

The latest move underscores the FCTA's ongoing campaign against illegal developments and its renewed commitment to enforcing urban planning regulations across Abuja.