Tears, Uncertainty as Thousands of IDPs Lose Homes in Abuja Demolition
Tears, Uncertainty as Thousands of IDPs Lose Homes in Abuja Demolition
Tears, Uncertainty as Thousands of IDPs Lose Homes in Abuja Demolition
By Ayshatu S. Rabo
The Federal Capital Territory Administration demolished the homes of thousands of internally displaced persons living at the Durumi Area 1 IDP Camp in Abuja between May 11 and May 14, 2026, throwing them into pain, fear, and uncertainty.
The demolition has left more than 5,000 vulnerable residents, including children, widows, elderly individuals, and orphans, without shelter, forcing many families to sleep outside under harsh weather conditions.
The victims are mostly survivors of Boko Haram attacks who fled from Gwoza in Borno State in 2014 in search of safety and a fresh start in Abuja after losing their homes and loved ones to insurgency.
For over a decade, the displaced families built a fragile life inside the camp with the support of humanitarian organisations and compassionate Nigerians who helped provide temporary shelters, known as “batcher houses.”
However, residents claim that the authorities abruptly demolished those shelters without providing sufficient notice, compensation, or an alternative location for the families to move to.
One of the displaced residents, Nuhu John, described the demolition as heartbreaking.
“We escaped terrorism and came here to survive. We struggled for years to rebuild our lives, but now everything has been destroyed again. We don’t know where to go,” he said.
Another resident, Hafsat Usman, said mothers and children are now suffering in the open with no food or protection.
“My children sleep outside every night. We have no shelter, no food, and nowhere to run to. We are pleading for help,” she cried.
The demolition has sparked growing concern among humanitarian groups and community members who fear the worsening conditions of already traumatised families.
Residents report facing hunger, sickness, and insecurity due to their exposure to rain, mosquitoes, and challenging living conditions.
The affected families are appealing to the government, humanitarian agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to urgently provide emergency assistance, temporary shelter, and support to prevent the situation from becoming even more tragic.
Tears, Uncertainty as Thousands of IDPs Lose Homes in Abuja Demolition
