The recent protests in Abuja, orchestrated by lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, have exposed the heavy-handed tactics of Wike’s task force, dubbed “Operation Sweep,” which have left scores of residents homeless.
According to Adeyanju, the demolitions have resulted in the destruction of homes and properties worth millions of naira, without any valid justification. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of the displaced residents who are struggling to survive.
Many of the affected residents had already been forced to leave their homes in Nigeria’s northern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe due to insecurity, leaving them in a precarious situation.
These acts of demolition, which Adeyanju said were excessive, require immediate action by the president to prevent any form of harassment of the population. He stresses that peace can only be achieved if the poor are allowed to live in peace, because when the poorest are not allowed to rest, it affects the entire society.
Vincent Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMark, joined the protests to criticize the government for its indifference towards the poorest. He highlights the disastrous consequences of these demolitions for Abuja, leaving individuals homeless amidst the current economic hardships. The evictions are being carried out without any form of compensation, thus demonstrating the attitude of the elites who seem to exclude the most vulnerable in society.
These events reveal the need for a more humane and equitable approach by the authorities towards the most fragile citizens. It is imperative that the rights of the poorest are respected and that sustainable solutions are put in place to prevent such humanitarian crises in the future.