Residents of Ruga, a community along Abuja’s Airport Road, protested on Friday against recent demolitions led by Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The demolitions, part of a campaign named “Operation Sweep,” have affected Ruga and other areas in Abuja, with officials stating the goal is to rid the capital of alleged criminal elements and nuisances.
The protest was led by activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju and Vincent Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who argued that the demolitions were conducted unjustly.
Adeyanju highlighted the damage, reporting that homes were burned and millions of naira in property destroyed, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene for the displaced residents, many of whom were previously forced from their homes in northern states due to insecurity.
Adeyanju emphasized that the demolition disproportionately affects vulnerable artisans and other low-income residents, warning that social peace depends on their welfare.
He urged the President to prevent further evictions and land reallocations favoring the wealthy, as Ruga lies far from the main roads, making the public interest justification questionable.
Otse added that the demolitions intensify hardship, as residents are left homeless without compensation. “The elite seem to dismiss the needs of the poor, but this approach will only deepen societal divides,” he said.
