Residents decry evacuation from Abuja estate, demand justice

Residents of God’s Own Estate in Wumba, Abuja, have condemned the demolition of homes and forced evictions carried out on Wednesday, describing the exercise as an “illegal enforcement” of a court order. The incident, which occurred at the estate located within the CBN Estate along Lokogoma Road, threw the community into chaos as court officials […]

Residents of God’s Own Estate in Wumba, Abuja, have condemned the demolition of homes and forced evictions carried out on Wednesday, describing the exercise as an “illegal enforcement” of a court order.

The incident, which occurred at the estate located within the CBN Estate along Lokogoma Road, threw the community into chaos as court officials and more than 200 police officers, stormed the area and pulled down structures, including an orphanage.

Many said their valuables were destroyed or carted away in the process.

“I lost over N5.5 million I recently converted to pounds and naira. My property worth millions in the hospitality business was vandalised. I was never informed of any court case,” said Illikannu Gentle

Another resident, Blessing Oziwo, a tenant, narrated how she was alerted by her landlady while at work that hoodlums had broken into her apartment. “By the time I arrived, over 50 boys were at my door. They forced their way in, moved my belongings outside, and I later discovered my phones, wigs, and laptop were missing,” she lamented.

For others, the demolition left them homeless and traumatized. “We woke up to see policemen, thugs, and people claiming to be from the court breaking into houses. 

As of press time, neither the FCT authorities nor the Federal High Court had issued an official response to the residents’ claims.