The Federal Capital Territory Administration, Wednesday, began the demolition of houses and eviction of residents living in the Durumi 3 area of Gaduwa, Abuja.
The eviction left hundreds of people homeless and jobless as some homes and petty-trading shops were pulled down, triggering a mixture of fear and anger among residents living in unplanned areas within the country’s capital city.
An eyewitness, Mohammed Adam, who spoke to our correspondent, noted that the eviction which was supervised by officers of the Nigerian Army, and commenced at about 10 am on Wednesday.
Adam said, “Before they came today, they had shot a young person in the leg when they came to mark the houses for demolition about two months ago.”
An affected resident, who also spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, noted that the FCTA cited alleged suspicion of terrorist infiltration of the community as reason for the demolition.
Some of the property demolished were a Central Mosque and a church belonging to the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
This action is one among several demolitions of houses and eviction of persons living in the country’s capital city in recent times.
Efforts by our correspondent to reach the FCTA was futile as of press time.
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