Residents of Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, have protested against the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) demolition of properties built by developers, claiming the demolitions were illegal and aimed at forcibly evicting property owners without prior notice.
It could be recalled that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike had, on Tuesday , October 22, during an unscheduled visit to the site of the alleged illegal structures at Sabon Lugbe, accompanied by the heads of various security agencies in the FCT, had ordered the immediate demolition of illegal structures at the Sabon Lugbe South District Layout in the FCT.
In a testy verbal interaction with the residents and developers whose properties were being targeted for demolition, the FCT Minister had given the order and reiterated with finality that buildings without proper documentation from the FCT Administration would be demolished, describing the developers as land grabbers.
He stated that the structures were built without the approval of the Development Control Department, in violation of the FCT’s land use provisions.
The Minister promptly directed the Director of the Department of Development Control, Town Planner Mukhtar Galadima, to coordinate with the various security agencies in the demolition of the illegal structures and the recovery of the land and further engaged army and security personnel with the charge that they should arrest anyone who obstructed the demolition exercise, after allegations that property owners were stopping a demolition exercise by the Federal Capital Territory.
On Thursday, October 24, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA), in fulfilment of the FCT Minister’s stern directive, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, accompanied by joint security personnel on Thursday, led the exercise to commence the demolition of 50 duplexes and bungalows which were allegedly erected illegally in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, mostly duplexes and bungalows at their different stages of completion, describing the developers as land grabbers without approval of appropriate authorities.
The buildings were demolished at the Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City (FCC), and were allegedly built without approvals from relevant authorities
While stressing that the alleged land grabbers were deceiving innocent residents that the areas would be integrated into the Phase five of the FCC, Southwest area of Sabon Lugbe was part of Phase 5 District of the Federal Capital City (FCC).
Mr Galadima identified. areas that land grabbers were operating as Idu Train Station, now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi area and Lugbe and warned sternly that they will make sure all illegal structures, close to 50 duplexes and bungalows were brought down.
Some of the property owners who watched helplessly as their huge financial investments were reduced to rubbles lamented that there was no prior notice, before the demolition commenced, claiming that they saw the development control when their officials came and marked some buildings and the next thing was that, these officials started removing houses. They said they were not told anything officially, but heard from the grapevine however that the Minister was interested in the place and had ordered the FCDA to remove anything that is existing there.
One of the affected owners who were sighted lamenting in a viral video said: “I don’t know why they are doing that? They did it in centenary city and for 14 years, we have been going for relocation ,up till now we have not gotten any respite,, but if they are interested in a layout, they do it within one month.
“They came here on Wednesday and marked few houses on Wednesday and the next day, they came with machines to remove buildings. Normally, they give us notices, first, second, third notices, none was given. Tell us why you are demolishing houses, they don’t want to tell us but they came with policemen,firing teargas. Even when we called them for an interview to understand what’s happening, they refused to listen to us. instead,they started shooting teargasses,.Even a civil defence guy said he was going to shoot me.
“We went through proper channels to get the land, what they do is that they intimidate us by telling us that it is AMAC land. I don’t know why they are threatening us with AMAC everyday.
“If you have money and go to development control, you get approval , if you do not give them money, you will not get approval.”
Another resident affected by the development insisted that due processes were followed before lands were purchased.
“I have my lands here, some of those affected are currently in the hospital, what they are doing to us is not good. It is unfair, this is where all my life savings is. A lot of people will be unemployed if this thing continues.”
“They keep punishing us without following the normal process, if you mark a place you must give us ample time to come and defend ourselves. Why would you mark a place and the next day you are destroying the place without giving us notice” the unnamed resident noted.
Also in a swift counter development, the Home Builders Association of Nigeria (HBAN), property developers and part-owners of property in Sabon Lugbe, Southwest District Layout, Federal Capital Territory, convened a press conference where they lamented what they called ‘the continued harassment and demolition’ of their properties by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), accusing the Authority of seeking to redesign and confiscate their land in the area.
According to the Chairman of the group, Prince Engr Isaac Omolua, the FCDA had been trying to grab the land belonging to the association by devising different strategies, one of which is the proposed redesigning of the layout, even as he added that all efforts to address the issue peacefully had been scuttled by the FCDA which has now resorted to arm-twisting tactics by carrying out demolition of the property of members of the association.
Mr. Omolua further revealed that as believers in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope policy to develop the country, they had written several letters to the FCDA to remind them of the existing layout without response.
He lamented that It was unfortunate that despite their peaceful approach, believing that Nigeria is their country and they have nowhere else to run to, many already developed houses have been affected by the FCDA demolition, which runs into about over N500m to N800m worth of property already destroyed.
The Home Builders Association of Nigeria (HBAN) then appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to intervene and to officially put an end to the matter and call the FCDA and its agent to order, even as they advised Minister Wike not to allow certain officials of FCDA to mislead him in this demolition matter.
It has however been noted that there have been series of demolitions under the Nyesom Wike led administration in the federal capital territory, with pleas in some quarters for an end to the activities, which have so far fallen on deaf ears and even appears to be escalating in frequency.
In fact, latest reports indicate that over 200 hundred buildings have been demolished so far in Lugbe. These include buildings in Mshel, Alheri, Domain, Abuja Mums and others.
Concerns and Accusations
Critics have raised concerns about the human cost of these demolitions. Many of the alleged illegal structures in Sabon Lugbe are homes to low-income families who may not have been aware of the alleged illegality of their properties. In some cases. residents have poured their life savings into building homes, only to see them reduced to mere rubble in a matter of minutes.
The Human Impact: Residents Caught in the Crossfire
The Sabon Lugbe demolition has left many residents devastated. While Wike’s crackdown may be seemingly aimed at developers and land grabbers, it is thr ordinary citizens who are often caught in the crossfire. For some, their homes were not just investments but a refuge from the rising cost of living in Abuja. Many had believed that their properties were legal, having bought them from developers who assured them the necessary approvals in place.
The FCT Minister’s statement offers little comfort to those affected, especially those who may have honestly acquired landed property, believing that the agents documents are genuine. Minister Wike’s stern order to security personnel to arrest anyone who obstructs the demolition has further heightened tensions, with some residents expressing fear that they could be wrongfully targeted.
Legal Implications:
There are very strong indications that Lawyers representing some of the affected residents may have already indicated their intentions to challenge the demolitions in court, arguing that the FCT failed to provide adequate notice or due process before leveling their clients’ homes. This is predicated on the fact that Land ownership and development rights in Abuja are governed by a complex web of laws and regulations, and it is unclear whether all of the structures targeted in Sabon Lugbe are unequivocally illegal. However, the decision to involve security personnel in the demolition exercise suggests that the FCTA is prepared for a legal battle.
The Politics Behind the Demolition:
There have also been widely spread speculation that the decision of the FCT Minister to demolish alleged illegal structures at Sabon Lugbe is merely a well orchestrated smokescreen which could be part of a broader strategy to secure landed property for political cronies and acolytes, and this latest demolition exercise has been rumoured to be at the behest of a former Senate President, who was very much involved in the “Centenary City” project controversy and wants to confiscate and allocate the now reclaimed sabon Lugbe space to a Chinese consortium.
Attendant Implications:
* Forceful Eviction – Property owners claim they received no prior notice before the demolitions.
* Conflict of Interest – Allegations suggest former government officials are using their influence to seize poor people’s properties.
* Lack of Relocation – No attempts have been made to relocate affected residents in this era of Renewed Hope of Mr President
The Way Forward
Nigerians are questioning the government’s actions, particularly during this economic downturn. The FCDA’s actions have sparked outrage, with many demanding transparency and accountability. The economic downturn in Nigeria was triggered by a combination of declining oil prices and spillovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some possible next steps could include:
* Investigation – An independent investigation into the demolitions and alleged corruption.
* Relocation Support – Provision of alternative housing or compensation for affected residents.
* Transparency – Regular updates on the FCTA’s plans and actions regarding the demolished properties.
The unanimous opinion of many of the property owners and developers, as well as concerned and discerning Nigerians who have witnessed the sordid incident of the demolition is that Nigerians are not in a banana republic and the judiciary system should be reformed so that those who have been unfairly treated can get justice. The belief amongst many Nigerians now however ,is that the judiciary may no longer be the hope of the common man as even those in authority are selective in court decisions.
Conclusion: What Next for Sabon Lugbe and the FCT?
Demolitions in the FCT and especially Lugbe, have been a recurring decimal on the landscape of the nation’s capital city, with altercations between the FCTA and land developers, alleged illegal or otherwise, regular feature in the development narrative of Abuja over the years
And so, as the rubbles pile up from thus latest Sabon Lugbe excrucating painful demolition, the glaring conclusion is that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is not going to back down on his promise and intention to demolish any structure deemed to be illegal and without proper documentation as alleged.
Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA has already declared that the demolition of the identified properties will continue swiftly and relentlessly until they’ve all been razed down, and as the bulldozers continue to roll through Sabon Lugbe, Abuja residents are watching keenly and with trepidation to see where Minister Wike will invade next if God wills.
