Demolition: How Abuja ‘s Darki- biyu residents stormed Human Rights Radio, cried for justice

Residents of Darki-biyu community in Jabi area a few days ago stormed the popular Human Rights Radio popularly known as “Brekete Family” to register their displeasure over the ongoing demolition exercise in the area, amidst the short notice given.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCTA) authority it can be recalled gave the affected person’s whose houses were marked 72 hours to vacate for a smooth exercise,a development that dis not go down well with the affected person’s.

Blueprint.ng reports that after the 72-hours demolition order handed down by the FCTA Administration elapsed, what followed on Monday was demolition of houses and structures already marked by the authority.

While speaking on the radio program, which was monitored on September 2, 2026, by Blueprint.ng correspondent, a resident, told Blueprint Newspapers that the exercise has displaced thousands of families with nowhere to relocate to.

Speaking during the broadcast, one Mr Dickson said, “my house was demolished and I don’t even know where my wife is as i speak, we only communicated on phone. I called her again and she said she is at the primary school with my newborn and i don’t have money to pay for house and i have stayed here for over 10 years”.

Another resident Deacon lsreal Audu said, “my two houses have been demolished the one i put up for rent and tthe one am still building they demolished all”

For Mrs Monica and Regina whose houses were also demolished, they both expressed displeasure over the development.

“We slept under motor, trailer parked outside and now “Babanbola” has stolen all our properties,” Regina said.

The displaced residents have therefore, appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration to clarify the scope of the exercise.

They wondered why the section of the community which was not marked for demolition, except for sections along a road corridor that was marked now, becomes a target.

But while reacting, an FCTA official, Mukhtar Galadima, said: “The minister said he can’t take the people that were affected by the road corridor far away. He wanted to keep them close to the community,” a community representative noted, referencing an alternative relocation site identified by the FCTA.

However, residents alleged the latest directive came suddenly and called for an immediate review, proper identification of affected structures, and stakeholder engagement before any further demolition.

FCTA officials have linked recent demolitions across Abuja to efforts to clear structures on waterways, restore the Abuja Master Plan, and improve security. Director of Development Control,

Galadima said the exercise was also to enhance the “security architecture of the FCT” and remove shanties used as hideouts.