Presidential Fleet Expansion Displaces 200 Abuja Families, No Compensation Provided

Families Displaced in Nuwalege as Presidential Fleet Expands

In a tragic turn of events, over 200 families residing in Nuwalege, a rural community along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road in Abuja, have been left homeless due to the expansion of the Presidential Fleet. This unfortunate development, which saw the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) demolishing homes at the request of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has sparked a significant outcry among the displaced residents, who claim they received no prior warning or compensation.

The Presidential Fleet displaces Abuja families as the demolition, which occurred in January, forced many to seek refuge in neighboring communities such as Zamani, Sauka, Giri, Iddo, and Gwagwalada. Despite the magnitude of this displacement, no details regarding the compensation for the affected families have been confirmed by the relevant authorities. The residents are now calling on the government to provide the necessary support and compensation.

Eyewitnesses reported that the demolition began suddenly, with no prior notice given to the residents, contrary to the FCDA’s claim that a two-month notice was provided. According to one resident, Wisdom James, the community was initially informed that the demolition would take place in two years, only for bulldozers to arrive within days, rendering hundreds homeless.

The displaced families have faced numerous hardships, with many being forced to sleep in temporary shelters, such as classrooms and churches. Mrs. Folashade Olatunde, a mother of five, recounted her experience of being separated from her children due to the forced eviction. “We left the community on January 15, 2024. They didn’t pay us any compensation, nothing at all. They just pursued everybody,” she lamented.

Another resident, Mrs. Elizabeth Olushola, lost both her home and a school she had established in the community. She expressed her frustration, stating that there was no compensation or resettlement plan offered by the government. “We weren’t given anything as compensation. There was no promise or guarantee,” she said.

The spokesperson for the NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, deflected responsibility for compensation, urging the victims to approach the Ministry of Defence or the FCTA. He emphasized that the NAF does not compensate for lands allocated by the Federal Government.

As the dust settles, the displaced families continue to plead for justice, hoping that the government will provide the much-needed compensation and support to rebuild their lives. The expansion of the Presidential Fleet has undoubtedly come at a great cost to these families, who now face an uncertain future.