Residents of Ruga, a settlement along Airport Road in Abuja, staged a large protest on Friday in response to recent demolitions ordered by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
The community, which includes numerous families and individuals who relocated to Abuja after being displaced by violence and insecurity in northern states, was shaken by the sudden destruction of homes and property.
The demolitions were part of a broader operation called “Operation Sweep,” initiated by Minister Wike to remove what he described as nuisances and criminal hotspots in Abuja. This initiative targets informal settlements and aims to restructure areas considered by the FCT administration to detract from the capital’s image. However, residents argue that the demolitions were abrupt, destructive, and conducted without adequate communication or alternatives for the displaced families.
Leading the protest, prominent lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, along with community advocate Vincent Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMark, voiced strong objections to the demolition exercise. According to Adeyanju, the task force went beyond standard demolition practices by setting houses on fire, leading to the destruction of property worth millions of naira. Many residents are now left with nothing, facing a dire future amid economic hardship and the ongoing challenges of displacement.
Adeyanju implored President Bola Tinubu to intervene on behalf of the affected residents, many of whom had already suffered through displacement from their original homes in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states due to the insurgency. “This demolition is completely unjustified,” Adeyanju remarked. “We urge President Tinubu to see the situation from the perspective of these displaced residents who are struggling to survive in Abuja. They have come here for safety and the opportunity to rebuild their lives, but now they face new challenges due to these demolitions.”
He emphasized that most residents of Ruga are hardworking individuals engaged in trades and artisanal jobs to make a living, having already endured significant hardship. According to Adeyanju, the demolitions reflect an extreme approach that fails to consider the lives and livelihoods of Abuja’s poorer residents. “These demolitions go too far,” he said. “We appeal to the president to intervene and put a stop to actions that harm and further marginalize vulnerable people. Peace can only be achieved if the basic needs of the poor are respected. When the poorest members of society suffer, the effects ripple through the entire community.”
He further accused the FCT Minister of prioritizing the interests of the wealthy by reallocating lands cleared of informal settlements to affluent individuals, arguing, “There is no valid public interest at stake here; these communities are far from the main road and pose no threat. Minister Wike’s actions appear to favor the rich at the expense of those with the least.”
Vincent Otse, known for his vocal activism in support of underserved communities, also condemned the demolitions, describing them as an “unnecessary blow” to already vulnerable people. “This situation is unprecedented,” Otse said. “These demolitions are taking a tremendous toll on Abuja. The demolished areas were not even located near major thoroughfares; this is a clear case of displacing people without any proper justification. Now, hundreds are homeless and struggling, as the economic climate in Nigeria only continues to worsen.”
He criticized what he sees as a disregard for the poor among those in power, stating, “It is disheartening that the elite view the poor as dispensable or irrelevant to society. Everyone has a right to a place to live and a community to belong to.” He called on the government to show greater compassion for affected residents and to reconsider policies that displace individuals without viable solutions or compensation.
As the protest unfolded, residents, activists, and community leaders reiterated their calls for a more compassionate approach from the FCT administration. Many hope that by drawing attention to their plight, the government might be compelled to halt further demolitions and develop plans that accommodate the needs of all Abuja residents, regardless of socioeconomic status.
