Demolition: Lawmaker condemns FCTA, Police attack on indigenes

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By Kingsley Madaki

Member representing AMAC and Bwari Federal Constituency, Hon Micah Jiba, has condemned the recent crisis between the Abuja Natives and FCTA Demolition Taskteam in Durumi 3, an indigenous community in Gudu District of the FCT.

Speaking with journalists on Friday in Abuja, Jiba said that the unfortunate situation which led to the sparodic shooting by men of the FCT Police attached to the Demolition Taskteam was avoidable.

Jiba stated this when he visited Durumi 3 to identify with the inhabitants over the ugly event that took place on Thursday when the FCDA staff came alongside FCTA Task Force to enumerate and mark the indigenous houses without the knowledge of the community people.

While on the scene of the event where the ugly event happened, he expressed shock and total dismay as bullets and blood were still visible on the floor.

The Member took his time to go round in a bid to having a first-hand information about the ugly development.

While speaking, he enjoined FCDA to always engage with the leadership of communities before embarking on any development activity as this will go a long way to avoiding needless altercations with our peaceful communities.

He said that the FCT Taskteam invasion of the community which have existed over 200 years for demolition without appropriate notice was very wrong and uncalled for.

According to him, the fracas erupted because the Taskteam failed to follow the proper channel of communication with the Abuja natives.

Jiba who recalled that the FCT Administration had earlier promised to give consideration to indigenous people in the demolition exercise, expressed surprised that the promise was not kept as indigenous houses were marked for demolition.

“FCDA officials were here yesterday to mark some houses indigenous houses included, for demolition. In fact, it went beyond just demolition because the Policemen attached to the Task Force started shooting sporadically which the succeeded in injuring two people.

“I don’t think that is part of the job description if the Police. They are to maintain peace and order and not to attack innocent Nigerians. I remember vividly about this community because the matter has been in the court for some years now. And if the matter is in the court, I don’t think the Department of Development Control has any right to temper any houses, marking for demolition.

“Our people have been living here for over 200 years because it’s their ancestral land so I was surprised about this demolition after one of the Special Assistants to the FCT Minister few days ago said that the indigenes would be considered” Jiba said

The Lawmaker therefore advised the people against taking laws into their hands as efforts would be made to guard against future occurrence.

Mr Jiba used the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to good and quality representation of the people of AMAC and Bwari at all times.