Residents of Ruga, a settlement along Airport Road in Abuja, took to the streets on Friday to protest the demolition of their homes by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
The demolition was carried out by “Operation Sweep,” a task force established by Wike to clear the city of perceived nuisances and criminal activities.
Lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, along with Vincent Martins Otse, also known as Very Dark Man, led the demonstration, condemning the demolition as malicious. Adeyanju expressed concern over the burning of houses and destruction of property worth millions of naira.
“There is no justification for this demolition,” he said. “We are using this medium to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of displaced residents, who are barely surviving.”
Adeyanju highlighted that most residents were forced out of 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 Mr. President needs to act to prevent further harassment of the people.”
He urged Tinubu to intervene, stating, “Tinubu should call Wike to order and stop him from demolishing people’s homes and reallocating the land to rich people.”
Vincent Martins Otse echoed Adeyanju’s sentiments, saying, “This is strange. The repercussions of this will have a heavy toll on Abuja. These people have been rendered homeless amid the ongoing hardship in the country.” Otse criticized the elite for disregarding the poor, adding, “It is sad that they think the poor are not part of society.”
In related news, residents of Lugbe, Abuja, have also voiced concerns over unauthorized demolition activities targeting structures near River Park Estate. The Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) Special Ministerial Task Team has been accused of demolishing illegal settlements along the Abuja rail corridor.