Coalition Cries Out Over Humanitarian Crisis in Kuchibedna, Calls for Presidential Intervention
Abuja Affairs Blog brings you an exclusive report from today’s world press conference held by the Coalition of FCT Indigenous Communities, where emotions ran high as leaders and residents recounted the devastating forceful eviction of the Kuchibedna community in Abuja.
Held on the very grounds where homes once stood, the press conference gathered journalists, sympathisers, and indigenous leaders who condemned what they described as a “catastrophic assault” on Kuchibedna, a settlement said to be over 500 years old. Speakers lamented that what was once a thriving ancestral community is now rubble.
Gentlemen of the Press,
The Indigenous People of the FCT,
Our Beloved Sympathisers here present and in the diaspora,
We greet you all.
It is with a heavy heart that we find it necessary to address you this afternoon following the unfortunate and catastrophic event that has once again befallen one of our communities — Kuchibedna. As you can all see, the rubble around us was once an autonomous settlement founded by our ancestors over five centuries ago. Today, we stand on the ruins of Kuchibedna, a community whose history and heritage should have been preserved, not destroyed.
This dastardly crime against humanity was carried out on Tuesday, 18th and Thursday, 20th November 2025, allegedly by one Ndubuisi, in company of Chinedu and Sodangi — all staff of the Development Control Department — who led a detachment of armed security personnel comprising the Nigeria Police, the military, Civil Defence Corps, Immigration, among others. We strongly suspect that this illegal action was taken to pave the way for a private developer, Winning Clause Housing Estate, which has terrorised Kuchibedna since 2011 under the claim of enforcing a court judgment for a matter still pending at the Supreme Court. They have also claimed to have paid compensation, which is untrue.
Distinguished members of the Press, we wish to use this briefing to categorically set the record straight:
- Our forebears founded Kuchibedna in a place of sacred memory and natural beauty — a land of forests and rivers long before the creation of the Federal Capital Territory.
- At the time of the demolition, the case concerning Kuchibedna was still pending at the Supreme Court, and the estate developers were duly served.
- No compensation was ever paid to the people of Kuchibedna for the ancestral homes that have now been destroyed. We challenge Winning Clause Housing Estate to present evidence of who was compensated.
- Our intelligence revealed that the said “enforcement” of a court judgment was an illegal operation supported by some compromised officers within the FCDA Development Control Department, who acted without due approval.
- As a result of this unjust demolition, the entire population of Kuchibedna has been rendered homeless. Men, women, and children now sleep in the open; food supplies have been destroyed; and sources of water have been damaged.
We stand today as refugees in our own homeland. As we light fires under the open sky at night, the smoke rises with our tears to the heavens, carrying the cries of Kuchibedna to our ancestors and to the Creator. Those who died from the consequences of this demolition have surely carried our pains before the Almighty, and we are convinced that divine justice awaits all who orchestrated this evil.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the Press, the attack on Kuchibedna is only one among many injustices perpetrated against indigenous communities of the FCT. Many others remain under similar threats of demolition and forceful eviction.
We therefore appeal to:
His Excellency, Mr. President, and the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to:
a) Visit Kuchibedna and witness firsthand how citizens have been turned into IDPs in their own ancestral land.
b) Immediately set up a committee to investigate the processes and individuals involved in this unlawful action.
c) Direct the FCT Emergency Management Agency to provide temporary shelter, food, and relief materials to the displaced families of Kuchibedna.
d) Commence a comprehensive resettlement scheme in a manner that preserves the unity, identity, and heritage of Kuchibedna people.
e) Revoke all land allocations overlapping with existing indigenous communities to prevent recurring violations of human rights, social tensions, and a potential breakdown of peace in the territory.
We also appeal to NGOs, CSOs, professional bodies, humanitarian organisations, government agencies, and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the vulnerable people of Kuchibedna, as your support will help cushion the devastating impact of this tragedy.
We sincerely appreciate the media for your commitment and presence. We trust that you will amplify our cries so that justice may reach the people of Kuchibedna. To all Nigerians of goodwill who have shown concern, we say thank you.
Thank you for your attention, and God bless.
Presented by:
Hon. Tanko Yamawo
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