FCT Natives Protest Land Takeover by Estate Developers

• Indigenous people of the FCT protest encroachment by First Rotech Group on ancestral land, demanding fair compensation
• Musa Abdullahi, representing aggrieved natives, condemns developers’ disregard for rights and slashing of compensation for expropriated land

Some indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) expressed their discontent over the unlawful encroachment on their ancestral land by prominent property developers, First Rotech Group of Companies.

The contested land, spanning approximately 250 hectares, is slated for the ambitious Abuja Airport Garden City project, situated along Idu-Gousa village in the FCT.

Representing the aggrieved natives, Musa Abdullahi, the youth leader of the Karmo community, lamented the developers’ disregard for their rights and highlighted their failure to offer any form of compensation for the expropriated land. He underscored that affected farmers hail from various communities, including Gwagwa, Karmo, and Idu.

Abdullahi decried the developers’ abrupt reneging on their initial compensation agreement, alleging that they unilaterally slashed the proposed compensation from N5 million to N4.5 million before ultimately retracting their offer, citing a nominal fee payable to the FCTA amounting to N750,000.

Asserting the longstanding heritage and attachment to the land spanning over a century, Abdullahi lamented the destruction of crops cultivated by the natives in preparation for the rainy season. He further decried the intimidating presence of soldiers and police deployed by the developers.

In a plea directed at FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the Inspector General of Police, and President Tinubu, Abdullahi implored intervention to ensure fair compensation for the affected natives, particularly in light of their destroyed crops and imminent construction plans.

Echoing Abdullahi’s sentiments, Fagashekwo Habakkuk, another affected native, condemned the deployment of military and police personnel to clear their ancestral land without due compensation. Urgent intervention by relevant authorities was sought, as the farmland represents the sole livelihood for many impacted individuals.

The protest underscores the profound concerns of FCT natives regarding land rights and fair compensation, urging swift action to uphold justice and protect their heritage.