Kehinde Fajobi
Residents of Ruga Community along the Lugbe-Airport Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stop the ongoing demolitions in the area.
The demolitions, carried out by a Special Ministerial Task Team on Wednesday, targeted illegal settlements and structures made from sacks, scrap roofing materials, and planks.
These structures were destroyed and set ablaze.
During the exercise, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Security, Adamu Gwary, represented by Peter Olumuji of the FCT Command and Control Unit, explained that the settlements were illegally built on private plots and obstructed a rail corridor, which could pose a safety risk to the Abuja Metro Line.
However, Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer and counsel for the residents, argued that over 15,000 people would be affected by the demolitions.
He condemned the exercise, stating that it lacked justification and alleged that a resident was shot in the foot during the operation.
Adeyanju said, “The reason why we are here is because of the ongoing massive demolitions in the FCT by the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike… There is no justification for this demolition.
“Many of the residents here are people who were driven away from Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Zamfara because of insecurity and insurgency. They live here, they work in the FCT, and they help the security agencies detect crime.”
He added, “We are appealing to Mr. President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to do something,” and warned against the potential consequences of such demolitions, suggesting it would exacerbate poverty and desperation among the displaced.
“The only way the ruling elite can sleep is when the poor can sleep.”
Residents held placards reading, “Wike, stop demolishing our house and giving it to your friends,” “Stop demolitions,” and “Wike, the land grabber.”