Residents of Ruga, a settlement along Airport Road in Abuja, protested on Friday against the demolition of their homes, carried out on the orders of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The demolition was part of “Operation Sweep,” a task force Wike established to clear areas he considered nuisances or hubs for criminal activities.
Lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, alongside Vincent Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMark, led the protest, condemning the demolition as malicious. Adeyanju highlighted that the task force burned numerous homes and destroyed properties worth millions, urging President Bola Tinubu to address the situation, especially given that many residents were displaced from northern states like Borno due to regional insecurity.
“There’s no reason for this demolition,” Adeyanju stated. “We appeal to the president to consider the plight of these displaced residents, who are merely trying to survive. Many of them were forced out of their homes in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe due to violence. These demolitions are excessive, and President Tinubu must intervene to stop further harassment.”
Otse also voiced concerns, describing the evictions as unjust. “This is outrageous. Demolishing homes without compensating these people is unacceptable. The poor are suffering enough,” he said, stressing that the affected community is far from the main road and questioning the need to prioritize wealthy interests over the livelihoods of low-income residents.