If you’ve lived in Abuja long enough, you’ve heard the stories. Someone buys land, builds a house, and one day they wake up to find out the “seller” wasn’t the real owner. Or worse, government bulldozers roll in because the land was allocated for another purpose entirely.
Land scams in Abuja are not rare… they’re an epidemic. In fact, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) confirmed that over 1,000 fake land allocations were uncovered in Abuja in the past five years. And for every case that makes the news, dozens more happen quietly, ruining families and businesses.
Here’s how it usually plays out.
A buyer sees land in Gwarinpa or Lugbe at a “too good to be true” price. The seller flashes convincing documents, sometimes even with FCTA seals and signatures. Money exchanges hands, and the buyer thinks they’ve scored a deal. Months later, they discover the land is double-allocated, belongs to someone else, or is under government acquisition. By then, the money is gone and the so-called seller has vanished.
What makes Abuja especially tricky is the high demand. Everyone wants land here, from politicians to civil servants to investors. That demand fuels desperation and scammers feed on it.
So what are the red flags to watch?
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Sellers rushing you to pay immediately.
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“Agents” who refuse to let you meet the real owner.
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Documents that look official but don’t match FCTA records.
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Prices that seem far below market value.
One of my clients almost fell victim. He was about to pay ₦45 million for a plot in Katampe when he called us last minute. We did a land search and discovered the property had already been sold to three different people all with “authentic” documents. That one phone call saved him from financial disaster.
On the other hand, I’ve seen buyers who thought involving a lawyer was “too much stress.” They paid directly, only to later learn the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) was forged. They lost everything.
If you’re buying land in Abuja in 2025, the smartest move isn’t rushing into “cheap deals.” It’s slowing down and doing your due diligence. Always verify at the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS). Always involve professionals. And never let pressure make you ignore your gut.
At Polaris Solicitors, we help clients avoid land mines, literally and legally. Before you pay for land in Abuja, let us run the checks, confirm ownership, and draft airtight agreements. Call 08034358887, WhatsApp 09020485947, or email legal@polarissolicitors.com.
Because in this city, buying land without a lawyer is like walking blindfolded into a scammer’s trap.