The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his commitment to demolishing shanties that pose security threats to Abuja residents.
Wike made the declaration during an inspection of the demolished Ruga shanties in Wuye on Sunday evening, behind Finance Quarters, which had over 10,000 illegal occupants.
“Be assured that we will continue with the demolition of shanties that pose a security threat to FCT, Abuja.
“It doesn’t matter what colouration; whatever name anybody wants to give to it, we will do the right thing and nothing will stop us.”
The Ministerial Task Force, “Operation Sweep,” has been demolishing illegal settlements across the city, but the Ruga community’s demolition on November 5 sparked protests from illegal occupants and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The protesters demanded Wike’s removal, claiming ancestral ownership of the land.
Wike emphasized that the government will not be swayed by intimidation or blackmail, citing the area’s 22 previous demolitions and the occupants’ refusal to leave.
He warned against rebuilding in the demolished area, stressing the FCT Administration’s responsibility to protect residents’ lives and properties.
“This is where you have the rail line; this is a buffer zone and if we allow these kinds of people to live here, what it means, anything can happen to our train.
“Nobody will take that risk. You can imagine the number of persons that are living here, whom we cannot identify.
“We have told them that nobody should build anything, whether temporary or permanent, until the government has taken a final decision on what to do with the land,” he said.
Wike proposed converting some demolished areas into bus terminals to enhance the city’s transportation network. He also invited the spokesman of the illegal occupants, Malam Abba Garo, to nominate five representatives for a meeting with government officials to discuss alternative settlements.
Garo described Ruga as a “mini-Nigeria” with diverse residents and pleaded for alternative land, highlighting the community’s 39-year presence in the area.
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Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.