Expansion of Presidential Air Wing Renders Abuja Community Homeless

NotebookExpansion of Presidential Air Wing Renders Abuja Community Homeless

The Nuwalege Demolition: A Timeline of Tragedy
The demolition of Nuwalege was neither sudden nor unexpected; it was a meticulously planned operation executed with military precision. The community was first marked for demolition last December during a citizens’ engagement led by Muktar Galadima, the Director of the FCT Department of Development Control. Residents were informed that the NAF had written to the FCT minister, signalling their intention to take over the land. Despite assurances that the demolition would be delayed and compensation provided, the bulldozers arrived in January, razing homes and leaving hundreds destitute.

The haste with which the demolition was carried out raises serious questions about the transparency and fairness of the process. Reports indicate that some residents were initially told the demolition would occur in two years, only for the authorities to strike with little warning, erasing homes, memories, and livelihoods in a matter of days. The lack of communication, coupled with the apparent disregard for the affected families, paints a grim picture of governance in the Federal Capital Territory.

Voices from the Rubble: The Human Toll of Displacement
The stories of the displaced families are heart-wrenching. Wisdom James, an artisan from Nuwalege, recounted how he was left scrambling for shelter after his home was destroyed. Initially told that the demolition would be postponed, he was shocked when the bulldozers arrived unannounced, reducing his home to rubble. Like many others, James now resides in Zamani, a nearby community, struggling to rebuild his life.

Folashade Olatunde, a mother of five, shared her ordeal of being forced to sleep in a classroom for two weeks before finding temporary accommodation in Zamani. Her family, once united under one roof, is now scattered across different locations, a painful reminder of the demolition’s far-reaching impact. The FCDA’s destruction of over 200 houses in Nuwalege did more than just displace families; it shattered the social fabric of the community, leaving lasting scars on the residents.

For many, the promise of compensation remains an unfulfilled dream. Mrs. Elizabeth Olushola, a former resident and school owner, watched helplessly as her home and a block of four classrooms were demolished. Despite assurances from the authorities, she has yet to receive any compensation. Her story is echoed by countless others who now live in limbo, uncertain of their future and disillusioned with a government that has abandoned them.

Legal Battles and Broken Promises
In the wake of the demolition, some residents banded together to seek justice through the courts. They pooled their meagre resources, contributing between N2,500 and N10,000 each, in hopes of securing legal redress. However, their efforts have so far yielded little result. The legal battle, fraught with delays and frustrations, has become another source of anguish for the displaced families. Many now fear that their contributions may have been in vain, with some suspecting that the legal process was merely a façade to extort money from the desperate.

The case of Chukwuemeka Nwokoli, a Point-of-Sale terminal operator and liquor store owner, highlights the deep-seated mistrust between the government and the people. Nwokoli, who initially chose not to join the lawsuit, cited concerns that the legal battle was merely a ploy to exploit the vulnerable. His skepticism reflects a broader sentiment among the displaced families, many of whom believe that justice is out of reach in a system where power and influence hold sway.

The Role of the Nigerian Air Force: A Force Above the Law?
The involvement of the Nigerian Air Force in the Nuwalege demolition has added a troubling dimension to the crisis. As the institution tasked with defending the nation, the NAF’s role in displacing hundreds of Nigerian citizens raises serious ethical and legal questions. The air force’s justification for the demolition—that the land was allocated to it by the Federal Government—does little to address the moral implications of their actions.

AVM Edward Gabkwet, the NAF spokesperson, has deflected responsibility for the compensation of the displaced families, directing them instead to the Ministry of Defence or the FCTA. His statement underscores the bureaucratic buck-passing that has characterised the government’s response to the crisis. The NAF’s insistence that it does not pay compensation for lands allocated to it by the Federal Government further alienates the victims, who are left to navigate a complex and unresponsive system.

The air force’s heavy-handed approach to securing the Nuwalege land has not gone unnoticed. Residents have reported instances of intimidation and harassment by armed personnel, including the alleged assault of a community chief. Such actions, if true, not only violate the rights of the displaced families but also tarnish the reputation of an institution that is supposed to protect the very people it now oppresses.

The Deafening Silence of the Authorities
As the dust settles over the ruins of Nuwalege, the silence from key government officials has been deafening. Despite repeated attempts to seek clarification on the compensation issue, the FCT Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, has remained unreachable. His refusal to address the concerns of the displaced families is indicative of a broader culture of impunity that pervades the administration.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has also deflected responsibility, directing inquiries to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. This game of passing the buck has only deepened the sense of abandonment felt by the Nuwalege community. The fact that the presidential air fleet falls under the purview of the NSA highlights the national security dimension of the issue, but it does little to justify the suffering inflicted on innocent civilians.

Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo’s reluctance to address the compensation issue further complicates the matter. His reference to a report in which the FCT minister promised to compensate the Jiwa community—whose land was acquired for the Abuja airport’s second runway—rings hollow in the absence of concrete action for the Nuwalege victims. The lack of a coherent and compassionate response from the government only serves to reinforce the perception that the displaced families are expendable in the pursuit of national interests.

The Broader Implications: A Crisis of Governance and Human Rights
The Nuwalege demolition is not an isolated incident; it is symptomatic of a broader crisis of governance in Nigeria. The ease with which the government and its agencies can displace entire communities without due process or compensation speaks to a deep-seated disregard for human rights and the rule of law. The situation in Nuwalege is a stark reminder of the precariousness of life for many Nigerians, particularly those living in rural or marginalized communities.

The displacement of over 200 families for the expansion of the Presidential Air Fleet also raises critical questions about the priorities of the Nigerian government. At a time when the nation is grappling with numerous challenges, including economic instability, insecurity, and social unrest, the decision to prioritize the expansion of a presidential luxury fleet over the welfare of its citizens is troubling. It reflects a disconnect between the government and the people, one that is likely to fuel further discontent and mistrust.

Moreover, the Nuwalege crisis highlights the limitations of Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks in protecting the rights of vulnerable communities. The inability of the displaced families to secure justice, despite their best efforts, underscores the need for comprehensive reforms to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status, are treated with dignity and respect.

A Call for Justice and Accountability
As the displaced families of Nuwalege continue to rebuild their lives amidst uncertainty and despair, their plight should serve as a wake-up call for the Nigerian government. The demolition of their homes, carried out in the name of national security, cannot be justified without adequate compensation and resettlement. The government must take immediate steps to address the grievances of the affected families, starting with a transparent and fair compensation process.

Furthermore, there must be accountability for the actions of the Nigerian Air Force and the Federal Capital Development Authority. The use of force and intimidation to displace citizens is unacceptable in any democratic society, and those responsible must be held to account. The government must also ensure that future development projects are carried out with due regard for the rights and welfare of the affected communities.

The Nuwalege demolition is a stain on Nigeria’s human rights record, one that will not be easily erased. But it is not too late to right this wrong. The displaced families deserve justice, and the government has a moral and legal obligation to provide it. Only then can Nigeria begin to heal the wounds inflicted by this tragic and avoidable crisis.

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