Protests erupt in Abuja over widespread demolitions carried out by FCT Minister Wike

Residents of Ruga, a settlement along Airport Road in Abuja, staged a protest on Friday in response to the demolition of their homes by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.....Read Full Article>>

According to DAILY POST, Wike had earlier instructed the task force, “Operation Sweep,” to demolish Ruga and other communities within the capital as part of an effort to clear the city of perceived nuisances and criminal activity.

The protest was led by prominent lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, alongside Vincent Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMark.  They condemned the demolitions, claiming that they were carried out with ill intentions.

Adeyanju voiced his concerns, highlighting that the task force had burned numerous homes and destroyed property worth millions of naira. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of the displaced residents, many of whom had fled insecurity in Borno and other northern states.

He remarked, “There is no justification for this demolition. We are appealing to the president to recognize the suffering of these displaced residents, who are barely surviving.”

He further explained, “Many of these people fled their homes in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe due to insecurity. Most of them are artisans trying to make a living. These demolitions are excessive, and the president must intervene to stop the harassment of these people.”

“We want to warn the government that true peace can only be achieved when the poor are allowed to live in peace. When the poor suffer, everyone suffers. Tinubu should call Wike to order and halt these demolitions, especially when the land is being reallocated to the wealthy.”

Otse added, “This is incomprehensible. The consequences of this action will have a significant impact on Abuja. The area that has been demolished is far from the main road. These people have been left homeless in the midst of the country’s ongoing hardship.”

He continued, “These individuals are being evicted without compensation. It’s disheartening that the elite view the poor as less than part of society.”