Demolition crews began work on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in the Maitama district of Abuja, targeting structures built on waterways across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The exercise follows a directive from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who ordered the removal of buildings obstructing drainage channels to address persistent flooding.
Minister’s Directive and Timeline
According to Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications to Wike, the demolition is scheduled to run from Tuesday, August 18, to Saturday, August 22. The minister had earlier stated: “Any house that’s found on the water channel will go down. We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel. Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men.”
The operation began in Maitama, one of Abuja’s high-end neighbourhoods, signalling that the enforcement covers upscale areas, not just informal settlements. Sources disclosed that flooding worsened after a major canal was covered to make way for buildings linked to a senator. The structures were reportedly erected on a green area and the canal corridor.
Flooding and Encroachment
Flooding has been a recurring problem in Abuja, with blocked and encroached waterways identified as a major cause. Buildings on drainage channels reduce water flow capacity, leading to overflow during heavy rain, damaging roads, homes, and public infrastructure. The Maitama district is among the areas where such encroachments have been identified.
The minister’s order covers waterway obstructions across the FCT broadly. No specific number of structures earmarked for demolition was provided, but the directive encompasses any building found to be sitting on or interfering with the city’s drainage network.
Community and Official Response
The demolition has drawn attention on social media, with videos trending. The exercise is part of a wider flood control drive by the FCT administration. Residents and officials are watching the enforcement closely, as the short timeline suggests authorities intend to move quickly across multiple sites.
In related news, Abuja recently recorded a minor earth tremor. The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) detected the seismic activity and notified Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, who directed the agency to provide hourly updates for continuous review and possible escalation to other relevant government agencies.
