Wike: Demolition of shanties in FCT will continue… protests won’t stop us

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says his administration would not be swayed by blackmail or protests.

On November 5, residents of Ruga, a settlement along the airport road in Abuja, embarked on a demonstration against the minister over the demolition of structures.

The protesters were led by Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and Deji Adeyanju, a lawyer and activist.

The protesters demanded the minister’s sack, while alleging ancestral ownership of the demolished settlements.

Speaking on Sunday in Abuja, Wike vowed to continue demolition of all shanties posing a security threat to residents of the capital city.

The minister made the pledge after inspecting the ongoing demolition of shanties in Ruga.

Wike expressed dismay that the area had been demolished 22 times and yet the occupants have refused to leave.

“Be assured that we will continue with the demolition of shanties that pose a security threat to FCT, Abuja,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what colouration; whatever name anybody wants to give to it, we will do the right thing and nothing will stop us.”

The minister cautioned against rebuilding in the area, emphasising the FCT administration’s responsibility to maintain Abuja’s master plan.

“This is where you have the rail line; this is a buffer zone and if we allow these kinds of people to live here, what it means is that anything can happen to our train,” he said.

“Nobody will take that risk. You can imagine the number of persons that are living here, whom we cannot identify.

“We have told them that nobody should build anything, whether temporary or permanent, until the government has taken a final decision on what to do with the land.”

The minister asked Abba Gara, spokesperson for the occupants, to select five representatives for a crucial meeting with government officials on Tuesday to discuss a peaceful resolution.

Wike said select areas of demolished settlements will be repurposed as bus terminals.