FCTA warns hotels, event centres against hosting illegal groups

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned owners of hotels, event centres and other public facilities in Abuja against allowing their premises to be used by illegal organisations, saying violators risk losing their land titles.

The administration said land allocations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are strictly meant for lawful activities, adding that properties used for gatherings by unlawful groups would face sanctions, including revocation of title documents.

The warning was conveyed in a statement issued on Friday by Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

According to the statement, the FCTA will intensify monitoring of hotels, event centres and other public buildings as part of efforts to strengthen security and support ongoing operations by security agencies in the nation’s capital.

“The usage of event centres, hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored to ensure that they are not used by illegal organisations for gatherings capable of disrupting public peace,” the statement said.

The administration advised owners and operators of such facilities to verify the legality of groups seeking to rent their premises and keep proper records of all transactions.

The FCTA also urged event centre and hotel operators, particularly during the current political season, to deal only with the leadership of political parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It warned that failure to comply with the directive could lead to the revocation of land titles attached to affected properties.