Residents of Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) took to the streets on Friday morning to voice their anger over what they described as the forceful seizure of land by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The protesters accused Wike’s administration of targeting low-income communities and displacing them without due process, a move they believe will heighten insecurity in the region.
Prominent human rights lawyer, Mr. Adeyanju, condemned the ongoing land policies, labeling them as unfair and harmful.
“These land grabbing policies will further exacerbate insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory,” Adeyanju warned.
He expressed the deep concerns of many residents, stating, “They are dismayed and worried that these relentless efforts to seize land are being prioritized.
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“We are appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and direct the FCT minister to return the land to the people it rightfully belongs to. These lands were meant for the poor, not to be transferred to the affluent.”
Adeyanju further pointed out that there are other prime areas in Abuja that could be utilized for land acquisition if necessary.
“If they are in dire need of land, let them go to Asokoro, Maitama Extension, or Guzape. There are plenty of options. Why come after the poor to seize land and give it to the rich? This will only escalate insecurity,” he stated.
Adding his voice to the outcry, social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, highlighted the economic hardship already plaguing ordinary citizens.
“In this bad economy, with the price of the dollar rising and food costs skyrocketing, evicting people without providing alternatives is outrageous. It’s wicked and unfair. Such actions will lead to increased insecurity,” VeryDarkMan said.
The discontent stems from a series of demolitions that have taken place over recent weeks, particularly in the Lugbe area of Abuja.
Residents impacted by these demolitions accused Wike’s administration of failing to provide any prior warning before taking action.
“We saw the development control officials arrive, and before we knew it, they began tearing down our homes. There was no prior notice,” said one of the victims.
Another resident added, “They didn’t inform us at all. All we heard was that the minister had an interest in this place, and they ordered the removal of everything here.”
One affected individual pointed out the inconsistency in the application of the development rules: “We have a layout that was approved by the director of development control. This doesn’t make sense.
They did something similar at Centenary City, and 14 years later, we’re still waiting for relocation. But when they are interested in a layout for themselves, it’s done within a month.”
The protestors are urging federal authorities to address what they perceive as an unjust land policy.
Without prompt intervention, they fear that the displacement of low-income residents will trigger more significant issues of poverty and security in the nation’s capital.