VeryDarkman, Adeyanju lead protest as demolitions displace thousands in Abuja
VeryDarkman, Adeyanju lead protest as demolitions displace thousands in Abuja
…Warn of rising insecurity in the aftermath
…Urge President Tinubu to intervene in forced evictions
…Call for affordable housing
By Luminous Jannamike
Thousands of residents in Abuja have been displaced as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration continues large-scale demolitions targeting low-income communities.
On Friday, activists and community leaders, including social media influencer Martin Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkman, and Barrister Deji Adeyanju, led a protest at the Ruga settlement near the Abuja city gate.
The demolitions have reportedly affected over 15,000 residents in Ruga alone, with authorities burning properties in certain areas post-demolition.
Residents, some of whom have lived in the affected communities for nearly four decades, carried placards reading ‘Stop Demolition,’ ‘Wike Must Go,’ and ‘Stop Demolishing Poor People’s Houses to Give to Your Friends.’
Protesters decried the lack of affordable housing and the perceived favoritism toward wealthy interests, calling on President Tinubu to protect their rights and prevent further displacement.
Speaking during the demonstration, Adeyanju expressed dismay at what he described as a brazen and unrelenting seizure of land from the poor, warning that displacing low-income residents to favor wealthier interests could exacerbate insecurity across Abuja.
He argued that development should not come at the cost of vulnerable communities, especially when demolitions are conducted far from main roads or critical public areas.
Adeyanju emphasized that public interest, not private gain, should be the only justification for demolitions, and he criticized the administration for ‘frequently harassing’ these communities.
According to him, if the government continues to seize land from the poor, it risks fueling further social and economic instability.
He said, “They (victims) are dismayed and worried. This time around, the effort to grab this land is brazen and unrelenting. We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to persuade the FCT Minister to leave the poor people’s land for them.
“Poor people’s land belongs to them. If land must be acquired, it should be in affluent areas. If they continue to seize land from the poor to give to the rich, it will increase insecurity in the country.
“The only legal reason for demolishing property is overriding public interest, not to demolish and reallocate to others. You cannot develop the nation’s capital by displacing people. We are here because of the ongoing massive demolition in the FCT. There are four different demolitions affecting more than 15,000 residents in this location alone.
“After the demolition, the authorities burned some properties. We have come to support the affected poor people. The residents have briefed us to take their matter to court. We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider the plight of FCT residents. There is no justification for this demolition.
“Mr. President must do something about this. These people are frequently harassed. We warn the elite that they can only sleep peacefully if the poor are allowed to sleep. There’s no overriding public interest here. This is not a main road. As you can see, the main road is far away from here.”
VeryDarkman echoed Adeyanju’s concerns, highlighting the severe hardship these demolitions are causing amid Nigeria’s challenging economic climate.
He warned that the evictions could lead to increased terrorism, theft, and other crimes as desperate residents face homelessness and poverty.
With high inflation and a soaring dollar, VeryDarkman argued that the FCT administration should prioritize affordable housing rather than displacing thousands without alternative shelter.
He urged Minister Wike to consider the impact on displaced families and their children, cautioning that the government’s current approach could have severe repercussions for security and social harmony in Abuja.
He said: “It is making it hard for them. With the dollar’s price, the cost of food, and without even creating a place for them to stay, it is laziness, wickedness, and unfair. It will lead to more insecurity, terrorism, and other issues.
“Nyesom Wike, think about all these people and their children before continuing this act. The repercussions will cost us a lot, especially in Abuja. This area that has been demolished is not near the road. Look at the faces of these people.
“What will happen after this demolition is increased terrorism, theft, phone snatching, and even killing people to take their belongings because these people will be desperate.
“At a time when the economy is not favouring anyone and people are suffering, why doesn’t the administration create affordable housing for these people before demolishing their homes?”
