Traders and workers at the popular Yahuza Suya outlet in Abuja are reeling from the demolition of their structures by the Federal Capital Territory Development Control Department. The exercise, which took place on Wednesday, left many without notice, with some alleging that enforcement officials arrived with heavy machinery and security personnel. The demolition affected several structures, including River Plate and Hadiza Balangu, but spared major establishments like IBRO Fish.
The traders claim they were given only about five minutes to remove their belongings before the demolition began. One of the affected traders, Gambo Musa, described the development as a surprise, alleging that the officials arrived with weapons, tear gas, and demolition equipment. Musa said no written notice was presented to the traders before the exercise, leaving them unable to remove several items, including refrigerators, yoghurt, and other fresh food products.
The demolition has sparked concerns about the impact on workers and their families, with Musa appealing to the government to consider the effect of the demolition. He said the business provides employment for more than 100 people. Another worker, Umar Bello, said the officials did not explain the reason for the demolition or identify the authority responsible for the exercise. Bello said the traders would have complied if they had been given reasonable notice.
A foreign national, Ayisa Natalia, who operates a business at the premises, expressed her concerns about the demolition. She had been in Nigeria for about 14 years and had operated her business at the location for several years. Natalia said she had been allowed to operate at the premises without paying rent, water, or electricity charges and described the owner as someone who had supported several people through the business.
The chairman of the Yahuza Chicken Sellers Association of Nigeria, Shittu Danladi, also expressed concern over the development. Danladi, who has been involved in the suya business in Abuja for decades, described the demolition as a major setback for traders operating under the Yahuza brand. He disclosed that the particular branch demolished had more than 150 workers, in addition to people operating ancillary businesses around the premises.
A Sector Monitor of FCT Development Control Department, Chinedu Okoro, confirmed that the demolition was carried out by the enforcement team of the agency. Okoro said the place demolished was an allocated residential plot taken over by the people for commercial purposes, adding that the operators had earlier been given notice for over six months to vacate the area.
The affected traders are yet to receive a clear explanation of the legal or administrative basis for the demolition and have appealed to the relevant authorities to clarify the situation. They also called on the FCT authorities to consider alternative arrangements for the affected businesses and workers whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the demolition.
Key points
- The demolition was carried out by the FCT Development Control Department enforcement team.
- The traders claim they were given only about five minutes to remove their belongings before the demolition began.
- The business provides employment for more than 100 people, according to Gambo Musa.
