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HomeAbuja NewsWike replies VDM, Adeyanju, says 'blackmail won't stop me from removing shanties'

Wike replies VDM, Adeyanju, says ‘blackmail won’t stop me from removing shanties’

By Sarah NEGEDU

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that no amount of blackmail would stop his administration from removing shanties and illegal settlement posing security threats to the territory.

The minister’s warning is coming after residents of Ruga settlement along the Airport Road took to the streets on Friday, demanding that FCT Minister be held accountable for the destruction of their community.

Social media personality, Vincent Martins Otse, popularity referred to as Very Dark Man, VDM, and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, had joined the protesters and accused the Wike led administration of ignoring the needs of the less fortunate.

However, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who paid an unscheduled visit to the Ruga settlement late Sunday night, vowed to go ahead with the demolition of slums and illegal settlement in the territory, saying government will not succumb to threats and blackmail from any quarters.

After addressing the people, the minister set up a seven man committee of security agencies, the Director of Lands and Director, Development Control to interface with a five man delegation of Ruga leaders to make recommendations for the attention of government.

He warned that pending the recommendations from the committee, no building should be re-erected in the community.

Responding to questions from journalists, the minister insisted that no government will leave such settlement in the midst of growing development, especially with the danger they pose to railway infrastructure within the area.

 “This is government land and the issue of grabbing land as alleged does not arise.

“We want them to bring five of their leaders to meet with the committee on Tuesday. But we will not fold our hands and allow this here.

“Government has decided that we will look into the matter and come out with a final decision. No amount of blackmail, intimidation and abuses will deter us, we must do our job, it doesn’t matter who you hire, you call them civil society or who ever they are. Our interest is to protect the lives and property and to save guard Abuja to be one of the best cities in the world.”

Earlier, the spokesperson of the settlers, Abba Garu, agreed that they were illegal squatters and that previous administrations had carried out at least 22 demolitions of the area but the people always returned.

He however appealed to the minister to assist his people to alleviate the suffering the demolition has brought on them, especially in the face of the harsh economic situation.

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