Victims of Plateau community demolition take protest to Abuja, accuse former commissioner of collusion with police

Residents of the Tudun Wada community, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Thursday gathered at the premises of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Police Affairs, and the Office of the Inspector General of Police in Abuja to stage a protest against the demolition of their houses and properties by hoodlums allegedly sponsored by the former Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the state, Festus Fuanter.

The protesters also accused the Plateau State Police Command of providing cover for hoodlums who demolished their houses in the community without giving reasons for their actions.

One of the leaders of the protesters, Isa Muhammad, who spoke to newsmen on their grievances, said residents of the community were shocked when the hoodlums stormed the community as early as 5 a.m. on Wednesday and began pulling down their houses while heavily armed policemen gave them protection, daring any resident to stop them.

Muhammad insisted that despite possessing valid documents for their land and having lived in the community for decades, they were surprised that Fuanter would collude with the police to carry out the demolition even though the matter is still pending before the Court of Appeal.

“My parents are Gomai by tribe. I bought the land and built my house about 18 years ago. In 2022, the former Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Festus Fuanter, took us to court,” Muhammad said.

“We appealed the case, and it’s still before the Court of Appeal. Unfortunately, before judgment was delivered, the former commissioner connived with the police to destroy our houses without any court order or notice.

“We are appealing for justice as we have nowhere else to call home,” he added.

Another victim, Danladi Abdullahi, who also spoke during the protest, said they had been living peacefully in the community until Fuanter and his family came up with a lawsuit claiming the community belonged to them and that they were illegal occupants.

“We are peaceful citizens of this country, and that’s why we came here to seek justice. We were asleep when hoodlums, supported by the police, invaded our community, chased us out, and destroyed our homes. Many of the houses are worth over ₦20 million. We are calling on the Federal Government to investigate the incident,” Abdullahi said.

However, when contacted to comment on the allegations, the former Commissioner denied any involvement in the demolition exercise, insisting that though his family had instituted a lawsuit against the occupants of their lands, he was not a participant in the case.

Spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, who was also contacted, said the command was not aware of the demolition but would investigate the incident and make a statement at the appropriate time.