The Indigenous communities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and put an end to the ongoing demolition of their homes without adequate compensation or resettlement. The demolition, affected about 100 houses in Kpaduma 2 village, Guzape district, and left many residents stranded.
At a press conference, the Madaki of Kpaduma 1, Simon Baba-Yerima, expressed his frustration over the government’s failure to notify or consult with the affected communities before carrying out the demolitions. He pointed out that there is an existing court injunction that prohibits further demolitions in the area until a legal resolution is reached. However, despite this, government authorities proceeded with the demolition.
Baba-Yerima questioned the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, stating, “As indigenous citizens, we deserve to be treated with respect and dignity on our ancestral land. The FCT minister had previously assured us that no native houses would be affected, yet here we are, with our homes destroyed. We urge Minister Wike, as a lawyer, to respect the court’s decision and halt any further demolitions.”
According to Baba-Yerima, “This action only worsens our plight. We are committed to seeking justice through legal channels, as we view this as an attack on the original inhabitants of Abuja and a violation of democratic principles.”
Chief Bitrus Yakubu, the village head of Guzape, shared his account of how officials arrived without prior warning to mark homes for demolition. The following day, they returned with armed security forces and bulldozers, razing nearly 200 houses. The displaced residents, mostly natives of the area, are now homeless and forced to endure harsh weather conditions.
Yakubu further explained that some of the demolitions were instigated by allottees, who sought to claim plots of land allocated to them despite the ongoing occupancy of native residents. The affected communities are now calling on Minister Wike to address their grievances and ensure that future developments are carried out with fairness, dialogue, and respect for their rights.
