The residents of three residential estates, the Mab Global Estate, the Green Residence Estate and Efab Queens Estate have raised the alarm over the relocation of a shanty market for scrap metal in the green area by their perimeter fence at Karsana, Abuja.

The residents of the Estates are calling on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and the leadership of Development Control to take urgent steps to halt the hurried construction of the shanty market for traders of scrap metal known as ‘iron condemn market’ by the perimeter fence.

 The proposed market borders the popular Mabglobal Estate, Green Residence Estate and Efab Estate, communities that collectively house thousands of residents who have raised concerns about grave security and planning implications.

The fear-gripped residents are alarmed that the attempt to build the illegal market is coming barely a month after the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, demolished the shanties in the area.

Tension escalated on Sunday, as scrap metal dealers besieged the market with intensified construction efforts with the intent to commence trading on Sunday, August 2 despite objections from homeowners and questions over its approval.

Residents told journalists at the site on Sunday that trouble started in January 2026 when efforts were made to construct a market by their estates fence in a wild violation of the Abuja master plan. 

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According to them, the developers presented an authorization document purportedly issued by the Department of Urban Affairs under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC).

They stressed that following complaints in written form by the affected estates, the AMMC reviewed the matter and withdrew the acknowledgement earlier granted to the developers, stating that the approval had been issued in error.

The AMMC reviewed the decision following complaints that siting a market in a green area by the fence was not just in violation of the FCT master plan but also a security threat to the residents.

The residents had insisted that such a scrap market could be a hot spot for robbers, terrorists hibernating in the city, drug peddlers and kidnappers.

In the letter dated February 19, 2026, and signed by the Director of Urban Affairs, Folayemi C. Yemitan, the council informed residents that it had revoked the approval issued to the developers, M/S Fasaha and Sons Global Services Nigeria Limited, after considering  the valid concerns of the residents.

The letter by the Director, Urban Affairs reads, “Sequel to your letter on the above subject dated 28th January, 2026.

2. I wish to inform you that the Department has reviewed your complaint vis-a-vis the location under spotlight and found it plausible.

3. The Management wish to inform you that it has decided to withdraw the letter of acknowledgement in favour of M/S FASAHA & SONS GLOBAL SERVICES NIG LTD for the siting of an Informal Market.”

However, despite the withdrawal, residents said construction resumed in July with the presence of some officials, deepening fears that the market could become operational.

In a petition addressed to the AMMC and the Department of Development Control, President of the Mabglobal Estate Homeowners Association, Pharmacist Fredrick Okonkwo, urged authorities to halt the project.

“We the residents of Mab Global Estate and neighboring estates wrote your respected office on January 26, 2026 to draw attention to a curious structural development on the green areas by the perimeter fence of our estate, which we believe put our estate at grave security risk.

“We are therefore surprised that M/S FASAHA & SONS GLOBAL SERVICES NIG LTD is making hurried efforts to develop market stalls displaying the same acknowledgement letter withdrawn by the FCDA due to security concerns and related issues,” the petition stated.

The residents said the three affected estates which opposed the plan to relocate displaced scrap dealers from Gwarimpa to the area had welcomed the council’s decision to withdraw the approval earlier this year.

The homeowners expressed the worry that the security concerns that informed their opposition to the market remain unresolved, warning that the location of the market near residential communities could expose them to grave safety risks.

With trading expected to begin on Sunday, residents have petitioned security agencies, the Police and the Department of State Services.

According to them, they  are also making efforts to  get the intervention of the FCT Minister who has made spirit efforts to rid the FCT of shanty areas including the affected location in Karasana, Gwarimpa.