Over 200 Families Displaced as Nigerian Air Force Demolishes Homes for Presidential Fleet Expansion

On August 30, 2024, a significant humanitarian crisis unfolded in Nuwalege, a rural community situated along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road in Abuja, where more than 200 families were rendered homeless following the demolition of their homes. This drastic action was taken by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) at the behest of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which is expanding its Presidential Air Fleet operations.

The demolition, which reportedly occurred  2024, has forced affected residents to seek temporary shelter in neighboring communities such as Zamani, Sauka, Giri, and Gwagwalada. The families, primarily composed of indigenous people and other Nigerians who had settled in the area, were caught off guard by the sudden destruction of their homes. Many residents claim they were given little to no warning about the impending demolition and have not received any compensation from the government or relevant authorities.

Upon visiting the site, our correspondent was met with heavy security presence, as armed Air Force personnel prevented access to the community. This has raised concerns about the treatment of the displaced residents and the accountability of the authorities involved in the demolition process.

During a community engagement last December, Muktar Galadima, the Director of the FCT Department of Development Control, mentioned that the Air Force had notified the FCT minister about plans to relocate residents. However, he acknowledged uncertainty regarding compensation for those displaced. “We will discuss with the Air Force because obviously, discussions behind the scenes indicate that some forms of compensation were paid,” he said, indicating that further investigations into the matter would be conducted.

Despite these statements, many residents assert they were not compensated and were given no prior notice about the demolition. Wisdom James, an artisan and former resident, expressed frustration over the lack of communication, stating, “They said they had shifted the demolition until the next two years. But in two days, they were there with bulldozers and started work. They didn’t pay us anything.”

Residents like Obadiah Tanko, who have ancestral ties to the land, voiced their sorrow and anger over the demolitions. Tanko lamented that the community had existed long before the establishment of the Air Force base and that their ancestors were buried on the very land that was cleared. “I’ve been living in Nuwalege for 15 years,” he said, emphasizing the deep connections many community members have to their homes.

The stories of those displaced paint a harrowing picture of loss and uncertainty. Folashade Olatunde, a mother of five, described how her family was torn apart after their home was demolished. “We left the community on January 15, 2024. They didn’t pay us any compensation, nothing at all,” she recounted. Olatunde has since been forced to live in a one-room apartment, while her older children have been separated from the family due to the lack of adequate shelter.

Elizabeth Olushola, another resident, shared her ordeal of watching her school, along with her home, being demolished without warning. “We opened the school on January 9, and by January 15, they had demolished it,” she said, highlighting the abruptness of the eviction and the emotional turmoil it caused her family.

Chukwuemeka Nwokoli, a local businessman, was also taken by surprise when the bulldozers arrived. He initially believed that only a small section of the community would be affected. “By the New Year, we saw bulldozers close to their fence. Some started packing immediately. We stayed behind believing nothing would happen,” he explained, reflecting the disbelief many felt.

In response to the demolitions, many residents banded together to seek legal action against the government, contributing funds to hire a lawyer. However, the process has been fraught with challenges, and there has been little progress. “We made some contributions to take the issue to court. I paid N2,500,” James said, indicating that the situation has left many feeling hopeless and abandoned.

The NAF, through spokesperson AVM Edward Gabkwet, has directed victims to refer their grievances to the Ministry of Defence or the Federal Capital Territory Administration, clarifying that the NAF does not compensate for lands allocated to it by the federal government. This statement has further compounded the residents’ frustrations, as they feel their voices are not being heard.

When approached for comment, Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, redirected inquiries to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Keyamo did not address compensation directly, instead referring to a report about another community receiving compensation for land acquired for airport expansion.

As of the time of this report, multiple attempts to reach Galadima and the FCT Director of Resettlement and Compensation, Nasiru Sulaiman, for further comments on the situation have been unsuccessful. This lack of communication from officials has left the displaced families in a state of uncertainty and distress.

The demolition of homes in Nuwalege is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities in the face of governmental and military expansion. The emotional and financial toll on the families affected is profound, and their calls for justice and compensation remain unanswered. As these displaced families continue to navigate their new realities, there is a pressing need for accountability and support from the authorities to ensure that their rights are respected and that they receive the assistance they deserve. The situation in Nuwalege highlights the broader issues of land rights, displacement, and the responsibilities of the government to its citizens.