The Nigerian Air Force has made known its intentions to reclaim its land in the Nuwalege neighbourhood on Airport Road in Abuja by demolishing more than 200 buildings.
According to the Federal Capital Territory Department of Development Control, which oversaw the demolition operation, the buildings had to go in order to accommodate the growing presidential fleet area.
Following the drill, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, the director of the Department of Development Control, informed the media that the Chief of Air Staff had contacted the FCT Administration in October of last year on their plans to rid the area of certain squatters.
He said that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had convinced them that the Federal Capital Territory Administration was in charge of evicting squatters.
“We told the people living on the Nigeria Air Force property about the upcoming action and gave them a two-month window to evacuate their belongings,” he said.
“There was serious sensitisation and campaign as regards to the exercise. We went there, we marked the structures to be removed and we informed them and gave them ample time until after the yuletide so they can remove their valuables.”
Mr. Galadima however asserted that, the structures belonging to indigenes were however left out because statutorily, they have to be relocated and compensated, for the demolition of their property.
“During the demolition process, approximately 150 buildings were removed, with an estimated 70 more buildings slated for demolition as well”.
He however, requested the Air Force not to commence any work without obtaining approval from the Department of Development Control, insisting they will have to submit their development proposals for vetting and approval before they can commence any development on the recovered land.
