FCT Natives Urge Wike’s Intervention to End Demolitions Without Compensation and Resettlement

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and stop the ongoing demolition of their rural communities, which has occurred without proper compensation or resettlement for those affected.

The locals expressed their distress over the recent demolition of approximately 100 houses in Kpaduma 2 village, located in the Guzape district, on September 4, 2024. They lamented that no prior warning was given before the demolitions took place.

Simon Baba-Yerima, the Madaki of Kpaduma 1, voiced his disappointment during a press briefing, stating that it was disheartening for a government they had consistently supported to proceed with demolitions without consulting them. He noted that a court injunction had previously been issued, preventing the FCT authorities and any allottees from entering the community for development or demolition until a legal case was resolved. He expressed frustration at what he saw as a violation of the rule of law by the authorities.

"We are citizens of this country and should not be treated like outcasts on our own ancestral land. The FCT minister had previously assured us that native homes would not be affected during demolitions, but officials claim they were acting on the minister's orders to destroy our houses. This situation is unacceptable and must be addressed," Baba-Yerima said.

He called on Minister Wike, as a lawyer, to respect the court order and halt further demolitions. The residents emphasized their status as the original inhabitants of Abuja and requested to be treated with dignity and respect as law-abiding citizens.

The Department of Development Control and Parks and Recreation, responsible for the demolitions, reportedly destroyed more than 100 homes without prior notice or offering compensation or resettlement to the displaced residents. Baba-Yerima noted that the demolitions have only exacerbated their hardship, particularly in light of Nigeria's current economic challenges.

"We will pursue legal action to seek justice, as we believe this demolition is an infringement on the rights of the indigenous people of Abuja and a breach of democratic principles. Democracy should ensure due process and fairness for all," Baba-Yerima added.

Chief Bitrus Yakubu, the village head of Guzape district, explained that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had visited their community the previous week to mark houses for demolition without prior notice. After being confronted by the locals, they returned with armed security personnel and bulldozers to carry out the demolitions, leaving nearly 200 families homeless.

Yakubu expressed confusion over the FCT minister's involvement in the demolitions, especially given his previous record of not displacing indigenous communities during infrastructure development in Rivers State. He also highlighted the frustration of villagers, who felt sidelined by the allocation of their ancestral land to non-indigenous people.

The village head further urged Minister Wike to engage in dialogue with the affected communities and ensure proper compensation and resettlement before any further development occurs. He emphasized that this was the third time demolitions had taken place in their community, leaving many families without homes or the means to find alternative shelter.

"Our people are now homeless, left to endure the sun and rain without a place to stay. This is our ancestral land, and we should be part of any plans for its development. The pain caused by these demolitions is immense, and we ask the minister to address this matter urgently," Yakubu concluded.