The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has directed the FCT Department of Development Control to immediately demolish all structures built on water channels and right-of-way zones across the territory.

Wike, who gave the directive while briefing newsmen after inspecting the flood-affected areas on Tuesday in the high-brow Maitama District, Abuja, declared that “no big man or senator will be spared”.

Wike stated that the recent flooding in parts of the nation’s capital was heavily aggravated by man-made factors, particularly illegal developments blocking natural drainage channels.

“We have gone there, and we have seen how people have blocked channels where in the master plan, that is the right-of-way where water is supposed to be channeled.

“People, by their positions, have blocked it, believing that nothing will happen. I have told people this in life that nothing happened yesterday does not mean that something will not happen today.

“Now you have done your own by blocking the water channel, and nothing has happened. Thank God the flood has come and have drawn our attention to the place; now something will happen. I’m going to bring those houses down.

“Any house found on the water channel will go down. From today to Saturday, let the Development Control not find any excuse —they cannot,” Wike declared.

He noted that when the demolition commenced, people would complain that the timing was wrong because of campaigns for 2027 elections.

“The next thing you’ll hear is ‘oh, why is he doing this during the election period?’ ‘It’s politics. Let us finish the election.’ All those houses will go down.

“Some of the owners of those houses are senators, some of them are big men. Heaven will not fall; rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done,” he said.

The minister rejected attempts by critics to frame the administration’s response as a failure of governance or a political vendetta.

He emphasised that flooding is a global issue driven by climate change that affects even developed nations like the United States, England, and Dubai.

He also identified man-made causes through illegal developments, unauthorised conversion of public green areas into commercial parks and indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage manholes.

He equally pointed at people or government officials not carrying out their functions by desilting the drainages as another man-made problem.

“It is these man-made factors we have been trying to tackle, and we will continue to tackle. So, you cannot take all these factors as failures of government. No, it’s not correct,” he said.

He pointed out the illegal structures obstructing the waterways were not erected by the poor, but by high-net-worth individuals allowed by previous administrations that lacked the political courage to enforce the Abuja Master Plan.

Wike denied claims that the current administration allocated water channel pathways to developers, challenging accusers to produce verifiable evidence and building approvals.

He declined to engage the critics, stating that he would not waste energy replying to political commentators on television channels who aim to politicise natural disasters.

Addressing public comments made by Sen. Ireti Kingibe, representing FCT at the Senate, regarding synergy and administration oversight, Wike dismissed the remarks as political posturing.

He urged Kingibe to focus on introducing impactful legislation on the floor of the National Assembly rather than seeking media attention during crises.

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The National Command of the Man O’ War Nigeria has kickstart its 4th National Camping Exercise in Jos with over 3000 participants to undergo morden security intelligence and detection of threats to school environments across Nigeria.

The National Commander, Man O’ War Nigeria, Adedamola Gbenga charged the participants of the 4th National Camping to see the exercise as a mission to build safer schools and more resilient communities across Nigeria.

He stated this on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the Camp, held at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Mountain School, Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State.

The Camp which runs from 9th to 15th August 2026, brought together volunteers, officers and partners from across the country. 

The Commander stressed that the National Camp is “more than a gathering, more than a camping exercise, and more than an annual organizational event. It is a strategic platform for strengthening our volunteers, renewing our commitment to national service, building leadership capacity and preparing Man O’ War Nigeria for greater responsibilities in the years ahead.”

The theme of the camp is, “Strengthening Community Based Safe School Framework; for a Secure and Resilient Nigeria” with the sub theme: “Building Safer School through partnership, Preparedness and Collective Responsibilities.”

A major highlight, according to the Commander, is the capacity-building program for Safe School Awareness and Preparedness Training (SSAPT) with resources drawn from across the country. 

Some of the areas listed for the training include; “safeguarding and child protection, early warning and early response, emergency preparedness, security awareness, school risk management, community mobilization and resilience building, more so, to speak in strong terms against the recruitment and use of children in armed violence.”

Commander Gbenga urged participants to approach the camp with all seriousness, “To all participants, particularly our SSAPT Coordinators, I charge you to take this training seriously. Do not see this camp merely as an opportunity to meet colleagues, participate in drills and enjoy the beautiful environment of Jos. See it as a mission”, he tasked the participants

The National Coordinator of Safe School Initiative Hajiya Halima Iliya said the training activities of the Man O’ War Nigeria is part of the efforts to challenge the federal government’s safe school plan launched in 2022.

Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang represented by the Commissioner for EducationDr. Kacholom Gang disclosed that the state is set to train 1000 Safe School security personnel that will be deployed across the state.

The Governor reassured the safety of children in school across the state and the participants of the 4th National Camping Exercise in Jos.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have renewed their strategic partnership with the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening maritime safety and security across Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The agreement was signed at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja in the presence of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr.

The renewed agreement builds on a partnership that dates back to 2007 and has been sustained through successive renewals. The latest MoU is expected to further align the mandates, capabilities and expertise of the two institutions while improving operational coordination and delivering measurable outcomes in maritime safety and security.

Speaking ahead of the signing, Mobereola described the renewal as a reaffirmation of the shared commitment of NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy to the security, safety, sustainability and prosperity of Nigeria’s maritime domain and Blue Economy.

He stressed that Nigeria’s economic wellbeing is closely linked to the sea, making the protection of the country’s maritime space a national imperative. He also acknowledged the Nigerian Navy’s role as a critical pillar of the nation’s maritime security architecture and its operational support to NIMASA in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.

Abbas, in his remarks, described the renewed MoU as an important milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two organisations, which he said was founded on decades of cooperation and shared national interests.

The Naval Chief expressed confidence in NIMASA’s leadership and progress, reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to supporting the agency in the effective discharge of its mandate over the next five years.

He emphasised that sustained inter-agency cooperation remains essential to securing Nigeria’s maritime space, protecting national interests and creating an enabling environment for the development of the Blue Economy.

Under the renewed framework, the Navy and NIMASA will expand cooperation in key areas including maritime safety and security, marine pollution control, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, intelligence and information sharing, hydrography, training and professional capacity development.

The collaboration is expected to enhance maritime domain awareness and improve coordinated responses to incidents at sea, while supporting the safety of ships, crew, cargo, passengers and navigation within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The MoU also provides for greater institutional cooperation through timely intelligence and information exchange, appropriate utilisation of relevant facilities and capabilities, and collaboration in other areas of mutual interest.

To ensure sustained implementation, the agreement will be subjected to regular institutional reviews. The two organisations will also jointly convene an annual Maritime Safety and Security Conference to assess progress, identify emerging challenges and refine their priorities.

The Nigerian Navy said securing Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone remains central to protecting lives and property, safeguarding legitimate maritime activities, preserving national security and supporting the sustainable development of the Blue Economy.

The Navy further reaffirmed its commitment to working with NIMASA, sister Services and other security agencies to protect Nigeria’s maritime interests and defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The renewed partnership, the institutions said, is expected to contribute to a safer, more secure and prosperous maritime environment for Nigeria and the wider Gulf of Guinea.