admin In a shocking turn of events, over 50 families in the Ifa Ikot Okpon community of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State were left without a roof over their heads after the state government carried out a massive demolition exercise in the area. The demolitions, which took place in December 2024, saw the destruction of an estimated 100 houses, leaving 182 people displaced.
The Ifa Ikot Okpon community, located on the outskirts of the state capital, Uyo, had been a relatively peaceful and thriving area, with many residents having lived there for decades. However, the sudden and seemingly unprovoked demolition exercise has left the community in a state of disarray, with the affected residents struggling to come to terms with their unexpected loss.
According to accounts from the victims, the demolitions were carried out without any prior notice or opportunity for the residents to salvage their belongings. Kokoete Sunday Edah, a pastor with the Living Faith Church, recounted his harrowing experience:
“On the 19th of December, while I was out, I received a call from a neighbor that my house and church were being demolished. When I rushed back, I found my property already in ruins, with my children inside crying. I was completely devastated, and all my personal belongings, including important documents and certificates, were lost.”
Edah’s story is just one among many, as other residents shared similar tales of loss and despair. A retired journalist, Mr. Charles Bassey, who had used his life savings to build a home in the community, was also left reeling from the demolition.
“I took out loans and used my entire life savings to construct this house. When I was informed that it was marked for demolition, I was shocked. I was told the land was meant for a judges’ estate, but from the Uyo master plan, this area was not part of the government’s acquired land,” Bassey said, visibly distraught.
The 75-year-old landlord, Anthony Thomas Ekot, who had lived in the community for over 30 years, also expressed his anguish at the loss of his home, a twin 3-bedroom flat with 3 self-contained units and a large store.
“I don’t know how I will be able to gather the resources to build a new house at my age. The materials I used, like the zinc, have become so expensive. I am now 75 years old, and I’m not sure I have the means to start over,” Ekot lamented, his voice trembling with emotion.
The Community’s Fight for Justice
The demolitions have not only left the residents without a place to call home but have also had a significant impact on their livelihoods. Many of the affected individuals were small business owners, traders, or artisans, who relied on the proximity of their homes to their sources of income. The sudden loss of their property has disrupted their ability to sustain their families and has plunged them into a state of financial uncertainty.
The community’s village head, Etteidung Uwem Tom Udo, has strongly condemned the government’s actions, insisting that the land in question had never been acquired by the state. He challenged the government to produce any documentation that would prove their claim of ownership over the land.
“We have had several meetings with past commissioners for lands, including the current governor, Umo Eno, when he was the commissioner. We asked them to show us any documents or evidence of compensation to the landowners, but there was none. Now, the government has demolished our homes without any prior notice or due process,” Udo lamented.
The village head further expressed his disappointment in the government’s handling of the situation, stating that the approach taken against the people was unacceptable and that he was hopeful the current governor, Umo Eno, would intervene to address the plight of the affected residents.
“I am very sure that the governor is not aware of this situation. I know him to be a compassionate leader and a man of God. I am pleading with him through this medium to come to our rescue and stop the overzealous officials who have rendered our people homeless,” Udo said.
The Aftermath: Looting and Assault
The demolitions have also given rise to a disturbing trend of looting and vandalism, as scavengers and area boys descended upon the affected properties, stripping them of any valuable items. Some residents, like Mrs. Bassey, the wife of the retired journalist, were even assaulted by these opportunistic individuals when they tried to salvage their belongings.
“My wife was tear-gassed and assaulted by one of the soldiers guarding the exercise because she wanted to go and save some things. When they finally left, she was also assaulted by the street urchins and area boys who were looting the remaining properties,” Bassey recounted, visibly shaken by the experience.
The former Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Rtd), had claimed during a December 2024 inter-ministerial briefing that the government had recovered land from illegal property developers who had encroached on government land. However, the immediate past commissioner could not be reached to provide further details on the specific areas acquired by the state government.
In response to the community’s plight, the affected residents have taken legal action, dragging the state government and its agents to court. In a suit filed at the High Court of Akwa Ibom State, the community is seeking a declaration that the land in question has not been acquired by the government and that the demolitions were unlawful. They are also demanding compensation of 600 million naira for the unlawful encroachment, trespass, and destruction of their properties.
The case is scheduled for hearing on February 11, 2025, and the community is hopeful that the court will provide a just and equitable resolution to their predicament.
Broader Implications and Calls for Accountability
The Ifa Ikot Okpon demolitions have sparked outrage and drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters. Human rights groups, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens have condemned the state government’s actions, calling for a thorough investigation and accountability for the affected residents.
Analysts have also raised concerns about the broader implications of such heavy-handed tactics by the government, particularly in terms of the impact on the trust between the people and their elected leaders. They argue that the lack of transparency and due process in the handling of the demolitions could further erode the public’s confidence in the government’s ability to protect the rights and interests of its citizens.
“This is a clear violation of the people’s fundamental rights to property and adequate housing. The government has a responsibility to ensure that any land acquisition or development projects are carried out with the full participation and consent of the affected communities,” said Amina Salihu, a human rights activist.
Salihu further called on the Akwa Ibom State government to immediately provide temporary shelter and relief assistance to the displaced families, while also engaging in a transparent and inclusive process to address the underlying issues and find a lasting solution that respects the rights and dignity of the affected residents.
The Urban Planning and Land Management Reforms
The Ifa Ikot Okpon demolitions have also raised broader questions about the state of urban planning and land management in Akwa Ibom State. Experts have argued that the lack of a clear and comprehensive land use policy, as well as the absence of effective mechanisms for public engagement and dispute resolution, have contributed to the escalation of such conflicts between the government and its citizens.
“The Akwa Ibom government needs to revisit its urban planning strategies and ensure that they are inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs and concerns of local communities. Arbitrary demolitions and disregard for due process will only serve to deepen the mistrust and resentment between the government and the people,” said Architect Emem Akpan, an urban planning specialist.
As the legal battle continues and the affected residents grapple with the aftermath of the demolitions, the Ifa Ikot Okpon community remains resolute in its fight for justice and the restoration of their rights. The case has also brought to the forefront the pressing need for the Akwa Ibom State government to adopt a more collaborative and considerate approach to urban development, one that prioritizes the well-being and rights of its citizens.
In the meantime, the displaced families continue to face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives, with many relying on the support of their community and the goodwill of well-wishers to survive. The trauma and sense of betrayal felt by the residents serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of hasty and insensitive decision-making by those in power.
As the state government and the affected community await the outcome of the court proceedings, the Ifa Ikot Okpon demolitions stand as a cautionary tale, underscoring the importance of transparent, inclusive, and rights-based approaches to urban development and land management. The resolution of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of urban governance and the protection of the rights of marginalized communities in Akwa Ibom State and beyond.
