Massive Protests Hits Abuja Against FCT Minister Wike's Mass Demolitions

A massive protest on Friday erupted in Abuja, Nigeria, as residents voiced their outrage over the mass demolitions ordered by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The demolitions, which took place in the Ruga settlement along Airport Road, have left many residents homeless and sparked widespread public outcry.

Protesters, led by lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, accused Wike's task force, known as "Operation Sweep," of employing heavy-handed tactics that resulted in the destruction of homes and property worth millions of naira.

Adeyanju condemned the actions, stating, "There is no justification for this demolition. We appeal to President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of the displaced residents, who are barely surviving."

Many of those affected had already been forced out of their homes in northern states such as Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe due to insecurity, leaving them in a precarious situation.

The protesters demanded accountability from Minister Wike and urged President Tinubu to halt further demolitions and prevent land reallocations that would favor the wealthy. Vincent Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMark, joined the protests, criticizing the government for ignoring the needs of the less fortunate.

He remarked, "The repercussions of this will have a heavy toll on Abuja. These people have been rendered homeless amid the ongoing hardship in the country."