Insecurity: FCT Residents Raise Alarm Over Plan to Establish “Temporary Market” Beside Residential Estates

Residents of four residential estates in Karsana District, Abuja, have raised serious concerns over what they describe as a controversial approval by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the establishment of an illegal market in the Karsana area of Gwarimpa.

Findings revealed that the affected estates have, over the years, struggled with the presence of illegal markets, shanties and illicit drug spots, which have allegedly contributed to a rise in knife attacks, kidnappings and other criminal activities in the area.
In response to these security challenges, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), under the leadership of Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, reportedly demolished several illegal markets in 2024 and 2025 on security grounds.
However, residents were shocked last week to discover an approval allegedly granted for the establishment of an “Iron Condemn” informal market within the perimeter of their estates, located along the new road linking Dawaki through Karsana to the Renewed Hope Housing Estate currently under construction by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The estates affected include Mabglobal Estate, Ipent 7, Efab Metropolitan and Efab Queens, all located in Karsana, Gwarimpa.
According to residents, operatives of the proposed market moved into the area and began marking and allocating spaces for the construction of market stalls directly beside the perimeter fences of the estates.
The development almost resulted in a physical confrontation between estate security personnel and officials of the FCTA after the latter were asked to present authorization documents for the project.
A letter with reference number AMMC/ADM/UA/1455, dated 20 August 2025, and titled “Application for permission to operate and manage a temporary informal market at Mabglobal by Queen Estate, Karsana, Abuja”, was subsequently presented.
The letter was addressed to the Managing Director/CEO of Fasaha and Sons Global Services Nigeria Limited, located at No. 1A, Block B, 6th Avenue Market, Galadima, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
It was reportedly signed by Abubakar A. Makama, Acting Director, Department of Urban Affairs, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), granting approval for the establishment of an informal market at the site.
Part of the letter read:
“This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter and further inform you that your application has been processed accordingly.
Having made all the necessary payments and for the fact that you are already on ground, the authority would allow you to continue to conduct your business pending the issuance of the permit.”
Although the approval was reportedly granted in August 2025, construction activities reportedly commenced early last week and were met with stiff resistance from residents who fear that the proposed market poses serious security risks.
The residents, however, commended the immediate past Director of Development Control, FCDA, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, for his previous efforts in dismantling illegal markets and shanties within Mabglobal Estate, Ipent 7, Efab Metropolitan and Efab Queens before his retirement late last year.
They noted that his actions restored peace and tranquility to the estates, adding that under his leadership, the Development Control Unit maintained zero tolerance for illegal markets or structures within the residential corridor.
Residents expressed surprise that the new approval was reportedly based on claims that the developer was already on ground, despite the fact that earlier illegal structures had been demolished with no authorization to rebuild on the road or designated green areas.
Mabglobal Estate, comprising about 634 housing units, had earlier written to the Department of Urban Affairs, expressing deep concern over recent developments around the estate which residents consider a threat to their safety and security.
The estate leadership recalled that authorities under Galadima had previously halted similar plans due to persistent security challenges in the area, and questioned what had changed.
According to Pharmacist Frederick Okonkwo, President of the estate, and Mr. Chibuzor Ogbonnaya, Secretary General, a meeting was held in 2023 following an invitation from the FCDA to discuss the possible relocation of displaced traders from Gwarinpa to the estate’s perimeter.
They stated:
“After deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that the proposal was premature, ill-timed and fraught with imminent danger to the community, and that the status quo should be maintained. We assumed the matter had been laid to rest, especially considering the prevailing security concerns.”
Residents expressed deep worry over what they described as the endorsement of relocating a shanty market from Gwarinpa directly to their perimeter fence.
They have therefore appealed to the leadership of the FCDA to urgently intervene and halt the ongoing construction of what they described as an illegal makeshift market beside their residential estates.