ABUJA, FCT Nigeria — In a shocking revelation, the HipCity Innovation Centre, alongside collaborators such as the Heinrich Boell Stiftung Foundation and Fabulous Urban Nigeria Foundation, has vehemently condemned the forceful attempt by the Nigerian Navy to seize ancestral land in Iddo Sarki, Abuja. The community faces unwarranted eviction, leaving the original inhabitants in a state of distress.
The Navy’s actions, as reported, involve the erection of eviction notices on billboards across the community on February 12, 2023, demanding indigenes to “Pack and Leave” without due process. This blatant abuse of human rights by a federal government institution has sparked outrage.
For historical background, it should be noted that before Abuja was designated as a Federal Capital Territory, its original residents lived there for millennia. These communities have customary land rights, which are supported by international texts such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The Navy’s actions directly contravene constitutional provisions, as outlined in the 1999 Nigerian constitution, section 44: (1), emphasizing due process and compensation for land acquisition.
This marks the third attempt by the Navy to displace the Iddo Sarki community without providing official documents or engaging in dialogue to explore alternatives. The lack of transparency and adherence to constitutional rights raises concerns of victimization, intimidation, and an abuse of power.
Insecurity in the FCT is already heightened, and the Navy’s actions contribute to the prevailing challenges. The Iddo people live in constant fear, facing restricted access to farmlands, threatening their livelihoods and exacerbating extreme poverty.
In response to these egregious actions, the HipCity Innovation Centre and partners present a set of demands:
1) Immediate Removal of Navy’s Eviction Posts: The Nigerian Navy should dismantle the eviction notices placed across the community immediately.
2) Provision of Statutory Land Ownership Documents: The Navy must produce official documents proving their ownership of the entire community landmass.
3) Cessation of Intimidation: The Navy should cease intimidating the Iddo Sarki Community and engage in respectful dialogue.
4) Proof of Rightful Ownership: If the Navy can establish rightful ownership, they must collaborate with the community to discuss alternatives and mitigate hardship.
5) FCT Minister’s Intervention: The FCT Minister should intervene to ensure a fair and just resolution, bringing all parties to the table.
In conclusion, the HipCity Innovation Centre urges swift action from relevant stakeholders, including the President and the FCT Minister, to prevent a potential crisis. The Iddo Sarki community deserves to live in peace without fear of intimidation or harassment.
