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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Mairiga Hassan Shaharu, a staff member of the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), has been arrested by police in Abuja amid an investigation into the leak of documents implicating Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike in alleged land theft involving his children. According to reports, Shaharu, who works in AGIS’s Fresh Applications Unit, was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon . However, his location remained unknown as of Wednesday morning, raising fears among family and colleagues about possible mistreatment.
A police spokesman confirmed Shaharu’s arrest but promised further details later. Shaharu’s department processes new filings at AGIS, which manages and verifies land ownership and asset records in the FCT.
However, his colleagues expressed concern that Wike may continue targeting low-to-mid-level officials uninvolved in the leak, stating the minister has become paranoid and drinking heavily since the reports surfaced.
Documents published on June 26 and July 1, obtained directly from Wike’s office, revealed that at least 3,822 hectares of land worth an estimated $6.45 billion were allocated by Wike to his sons, Jordan (25) and Joaquin (23). The revelations have sparked outrage, with Wike blaming political opponents for the leak. Some unrecognized groups have also defended the minister, describing the reports as politically motivated.
Reports emerged within the week alleging that the FCT minister allocated land to his children. However, he has since debunked these claims. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister dismissed the allegations as baseless and mischievous.
He also earlier denied reports claiming that he allocated 2,082 hectares of land in Maitama and Asokoro to his son through the farming company, Joaq Farms and Estates Limited.