Newsie Events:
Residents of Ruga, a community along Airport Road in Abuja, protested on Friday against the demolition of their homes ordered by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Previously, Wike had instructed a task force named “Operation Sweep” to dismantle Ruga and other communities in the capital, aiming to address issues of crime and disorder.
Leading the demonstration, renowned lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, along with Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, said the demolition was carried out with malicious intent.
Adeyanju voiced concern over the task force’s actions, reporting that many homes were set ablaze, with property damage running into millions of naira.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to acknowledge the suffering of low-income individuals who were displaced from areas like Borno due to security concerns.
“There’s no justification for this demolition,” Adeyanju stated.
He appealed to the president to consider the hardships faced by these residents, many of whom are artisans barely making a living after being driven from their homes in states like Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe due to violence.
“These demolitions are excessive, and the president needs to intervene to prevent further harassment,”
Adeyanju continued. “Peace is only achievable if the poor can live without fear. When they suffer, it affects everyone.”
He urged Tinubu to halt Wike’s demolitions and prevent him from reallocating the land to wealthy individuals, arguing there’s no public interest at stake since the community is located far from the main road.
Otse added, “This is shocking. The impact on Abuja will be severe. This area isn’t close to the main road, yet these residents are now homeless in a time of economic hardship. They are being evicted without compensation, showing how the elite disregard the poor.”
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