The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has given its Development Control Department 48 hours to demolish more than 10 duplexes built on a green area.

The Coordinator of the Council, Chief Felix Obuah, gave the directive on Thursday during a joint inspection tour targeting illegal developments across the city.

Obuah explained that the developer of the properties had ignored multiple stop-work orders and warnings issued by the Department of Development Control.

He said that the structures, built without authorisation or allocation, clearly violated the Abuja Master Plan in Wumba District, near Apo in Abuja.

“When we invited the developer to provide legal documents for the activities he’s carrying out, we discovered there was no paper, no approval, no allocation,” Obuah said.

“So all these properties that you are seeing here are going down. Come back here in the next 48 hours, you’d see everything down.”

He said the FCT Administration would not tolerate any illegal development, especially on areas designated for environmental preservation.

Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, confirmed that no approval was granted for the construction.

“We had marked the structures at various stages, but the developer ignored our directives,” Galadima said.

“The only language that some developers seem to understand is the bulldozer.”

He noted that the affected structures included both roofed and unroofed buildings, and that demolition would proceed as ordered.

Director of Parks and Recreation, Mr Chidemelu Echee, condemned the destruction of green spaces, saying that Abuja’s urban design integrated natural ecosystems to ensure sustainable living.

“This is a disaster waiting to happen,” Echee said.

“People are randomly destroying the natural ecosystem without authorisation, which worsens the global warming crisis.”

According to the Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Mr Osilama Braimah, warned that removing green spaces leads to environmental degradation, including increased urban heat and flooding.

“When concrete covers everything, it prevents water percolation, affects groundwater recharge, and worsens flooding,” Braimah explained.

“We must preserve green areas to protect both people and the environment.” (NAN)

The Police Command in Ondo says tactical teams have been deployed to maintain public peace and deter any attempt to exploit the situation in Ijare community of Ifedore Local Government Area of the state. The police, on Wednesday, arrested a self-acclaimed traditional ruler, Adekolajo Aladeseyi and four others Report also said that Aladeseyi, who named himself the Olujare of Ijare, was arraigned before an Ondo High Court sitting in Akure on Thursday and remanded in police custody pending a ruling on bail application.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, in a statement on Thursday in Akure, said the police acted on the directive of the state government, hence, the decisive steps to address the unlawful installation of Aladeseyi. Ayanlade explained that Aladeseyi was installed without recourse to the Chieftaincy Law and Edict, or the requisite consent of the Local Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs. He said the self-acclaimed traditional ruler unlawfully assumed a traditional title, causing unrest and creating serious security concern within the community. The spokesperson explained that Aladeseyi and his collaborators were invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) by the command on May 7 at about 15:30 hours, and informed of the directive for their arrest and prosecution. According to him, the suspects were arraigned before High Court 3 in Akure and have since been remanded in police custody pending further legal action. “To maintain public peace and deter any attempt to exploit the situation, tactical teams were promptly deployed to Ijare . The area remains calm and is under close surveillance by security personnel. “The command wishes to reiterates its unwavering commitment to the enforcement of all laws, especially those we are constitutionally empowered to uphold, including extant laws governing traditional institutions and public order. “Any individual or group found acting outside the bounds of these laws will be dealt with accordingly. “We urge the residents of Ijare and the wider public to remain law-abiding and support ongoing efforts to preserve peace and stability in our communities. “The security gains and successes made so far in Ondo State will be sustained and protected with firmness and professionalism,” he said. (NAN)

Cardinal Robert Prevost has become the 1st American popeThe Cardinals gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope, who took the name Pope Leo XIV.The chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday, signalling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.

A senior cardinal deacon, stood on the balcony on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, overlooking St. Peter’s Square and declared in Latin: “Nuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus papam” – “I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope”.American Cardinal Robert Prevost was announced as the choice to replace Pope Francis.Bells at St. Peter’s Basilica rang and crowds cheered as the white smoke billowed from the chimney.The new leader of the Catholic Church was chosen amid the third round of conclave voting.Cardinal Robert Prevost selected the name Leo XIV as his name for pope, a senior cardinal deacon announced.John, the most popular name selected among cardinals, has been used 23 times. Gregory has been used 16 times, and Benedict has been chosen 16 times.The only name that is not allowed to be used is Peter, which is an unwritten rule in the Catholic Church, paying respect to the first pope, Saint Peter.American Cardinal Robert Prevost stands on the balcony on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, is an American who has spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru.Made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, he has given few media interviews and rarely speaks in public.Originally from Chicago, he has attracted interest from his peers because of his quiet style and support for Francis’ 12-year papacy, especially his commitment to social justice issues.Prevost served as a bishop in Chiclayo, in northwestern Peru, from 2015 to 2023.Francis brought him to Rome that year to head the Vatican office in charge of choosing which priests should serve as Catholic bishops across the globe, meaning he has had a hand in selecting many of the world’s bishops.Prevost said during a 2023 Vatican press conference: “Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church.” (NAN)