Amnesty International has strongly condemned the demolition of homes in the Durumi 3 community of Abuja, describing the exercise as an arbitrary and violent forced eviction that violated residents’ fundamental human rights.
According to the rights organisation, bulldozers accompanied by heavily armed police personnel stormed the community at about 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, demolishing houses while some families were reportedly still inside their homes.
Amnesty International said the operation not only demonstrated the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities’ disregard for due process but also left hundreds of families homeless and deprived many residents of their means of livelihood.
The organisation further accused authorities of prioritising the interests of private developers over the welfare of affected citizens, arguing that the demolition reflected a broader pattern of neglect for the rights and wellbeing of vulnerable communities.
It noted that forced evictions constitute serious violations of internationally recognised human rights, including the right to adequate housing and the rights of indigenous peoples. The group added that such actions often expose affected persons to additional rights violations, including limited access to food, water, healthcare, education and employment, while also subjecting them to degrading treatment.
Amnesty International called on the Federal Government to direct FCT authorities to halt further forced evictions and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. It stressed that Nigeria, as a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, has an obligation to protect the housing rights and dignity of its citizens.
The organisation maintained that every citizen, regardless of social or economic status, deserves a place in society, insisting that Nigeria belongs to all its people and not to a privileged few.
