The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-storey hotel that collapsed in Jikwoyi, Abuja, last Friday, April 4, and directed that the land be taken over for public use.
The structure reportedly gave way while workers were on site, prompting an emergency response from relevant authorities.
During a visit to the scene on Monday, April 7, Wike disclosed that the building was erected without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control. He further revealed that multiple stop-work notices issued to the developer were ignored.
The minister confirmed that although no lives were lost, several persons sustained injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. He warned that the incident could have resulted in a far more tragic outcome.
Wike announced that the FCT Administration would confiscate the land and repurpose it for public use. He emphasized that those responsible for the illegal construction would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He added that authorities would engage members of the local community to determine a suitable public project for the reclaimed site.