By Omeiza Ajayi

Residents of Katampe Extension in Abuja on Friday sent out a ‘Save our Souls’ message to the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, urging him to urgently rein in land grabbers who continue to operate recklessly and using high-calibre explosives for their illegal activities in the community.

According to them, the natural waterways and drainage channels, essential for managing stormwater, have been blocked or allocated to developers, posing a significant risk to the area’s ecosystem and potentially destabilizing the Lower Usuma Dam.

Public Relations Officer of the Katampe Extension Residents Association KERA, Wole Atolagbe stated that developers have been blasting rocks to create illegal connections between Katampe Extension and neighboring districts in Bwari, such as Usuma and Jikoko.

He alleged that these developers falsely advertise lands in Usuma and surrounding areas as part of Katampe Extension, thereby putting unsuspecting buyers at risk.

Situated on the eastern fringe of the Abuja Municipal Area Council AMAC, Katampe Extension shares boundaries with the Katampe Hills to the North and the Abuja-Kubwa Expressway to the South.

“This reckless blasting is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of safety for our community,” Atolagbe said.

He warned that the ongoing development is increasing the risk of kidnapping for residents, as the previously secluded hills are being transformed into accessible routes for criminals.

Also speaking, KERA Vice President, Dr. Austin Maho, argued that the recent earth tremors in the area are linked to the frequent use of explosives by developers.

“The noise from the explosions is deafening, and our buildings shake to their foundations. We are increasingly uncertain about the integrity of our homes,” Dr Maho stated.

He lamented that a former FCT minister had previously halted the activities of illegal developers, but these operations have resumed covertly, threatening the integrity of the area.

“If these activities are not checked, we could face catastrophic flooding of Usuma Dam, similar to what has occurred in Maiduguri and other parts of the country,” the vice president warned.

President of the residents association, Muhammed Gimba, on his part appealed to the government to intervene and protect their homes and environment from ongoing destruction.

“We are appealing to Minister Nyesom Wike to restore the district to its original master plan and protect the community from further harm. We also urge the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on the FCT, to investigate the ongoing situation in Katampe Extension.

“We need help. It is time for the government to act decisively and safeguard the people of Katampe Extension from these illegal activities,” Gimba said.