Demolition Exercise in Uyo Leaves 52 Families With No Home
For residents of Ifa Ikot Okpon in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, the 2024 Christmas season turned into a period of despair instead of celebration. The Akwa Ibom State government carried out a demolition exercise in the community, leaving many residents homeless.
Approximately 100 houses were destroyed, displacing 182 individuals and 52 families. With several other buildings marked for demolition, an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty now pervades the area.
When a Daily Post correspondent visited the scene, the devastation was palpable. Rubble and ruins replaced once-thriving homes, and despair etched the faces of those awaiting demolition.
One of the victims, Pastor Kokoete Sunday Edah of Living Faith Church, shared his heartbreaking experience of losing both his home and church without prior notice or compensation.
“My name is Kokoete Sunday Edah. I’m a native of Oron, Akwa Ibom State. I purchased this land 20 years ago from a native of Ifa Ikot Okpon and have lived here with my family since then,” he explained. “This place was like a bush until successive governments, especially Udom Emmanuel’s administration, developed the area with a ring road and dualised road.”
Edah recounted how government officials assessed his property in October 2024, promising compensation and adequate notice before any demolition. However, on December 19, while he was briefly away, a neighbour called to inform him that a bulldozer was tearing down his house.
“When I returned, they were demolishing my property. My children were inside, crying. I looked up and said, ‘God, where are you?’” Edah said, his voice trembling.
He added, “The Director of Lands told me they were acting on instructions: ‘Demolish first; compensation will follow.’ All my belongings, including certificates, clothes, and personal items, were destroyed. My family is now homeless. The frustration is overwhelming.”
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Edah’s plight is shared by over 50 other victims who gathered at the village hall to recount similar experiences. Many claimed their properties were evaluated and marked for demolition in October 2024, with promises of compensation that never materialised.
Retired journalist Charles Bassey, who invested his life savings in constructing his house, questioned the government’s motives. According to him, the demolished area was not part of the Uyo master plan as outlined by former Governor Victor Attah.
“I took loans and used all my savings to build that house. When I heard my property was marked for demolition, I was told it was for a judge’s estate. From my findings, this area was not part of any government-acquired land,” Bassey said.
Seventy-five-year-old landlord Anthony Thomas Ekot, who had lived in the community for over 30 years, was equally distraught. “The house was a twin, three-bedroom flat with self-contained apartments and a store. I’m 75 years old. How will I raise money to rebuild? I could die anytime,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
As the community grappled with the destruction, looters, including street urchins and scavengers, descended upon the area. Using tricycles, wheelbarrows, and trucks, they carted away wood, metal, and other valuables from the ruins. Victims who attempted to salvage belongings faced physical assaults.
Bassey narrated how his wife was teargassed and attacked by security personnel and looters during the demolition. “When the officials left, the looters assaulted her again. That’s why the site is now empty—you won’t even find nails or wood,” he explained.
Government’s Stance vs. Community Claims
During a December 2024 inter-ministerial briefing, the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Lands stated that the demolition was part of efforts to reclaim government land from illegal developers. However, the village head of Ifa Ikot Okpon, Etteidung Uwem Tom Udo, disputed this claim, insisting that the government had no record of acquiring land in the community.
“The government never acquired land from this community. Even if they did, due process should have been followed. We had meetings with past commissioners and Governor Umo Eno when he was Commissioner for Lands, but no document of acquisition was ever presented,” Udo said.
He called on Governor Eno to address the issue, expressing confidence in the governor’s compassion.
The displaced community has filed a lawsuit against the Akwa Ibom State government, seeking ₦600 million in damages and proper negotiations for the demolished properties. The case, set for hearing on February 11, 2025, aims to declare the demolitions unlawful and compel the government to compensate affected families.
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