Residents of six communities in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, joined by lawyers, have staged a peaceful protest to condemn what they described as illegal demolitions, forced evictions, and disregard for court orders allegedly carried out under military supervision.
The demonstrators, including men, women, children, and the elderly, marched through Kaduna city carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Obey Court Orders Now,” “Military is Not Above the Law,” and “Stop Illegal Demolitions in Igabi.” They also chanted slogans demanding protection of their ancestral homes and farmlands.
One of the community leaders expressed outrage, saying, “Our homes and farmlands are being destroyed in violation of court rulings. Families have been thrown into the streets without shelter, and this cannot continue.”
Lawyers who joined the protest accused the military of disregarding multiple court injunctions. According to them, demolitions carried out in Ungwan Aboki on August 15 left hundreds of families homeless. “Women, children, the elderly, and even persons with disabilities were thrown out in the open. This is a clear violation of human rights,” one lawyer said.
The protesters also raised concerns about the marking of Mallam Auta community for demolition despite subsisting court rulings prohibiting such actions. “The refusal to obey judicial orders is contempt of court and an attack on the rule of law,” another protester stressed.
The group demanded an immediate halt to further demolitions, the release of residents allegedly detained without warrants, and urgent intervention from government and civil society to prevent what they described as a looming humanitarian crisis. “We want the world to know that this is injustice, and we will not stop speaking out until the rights of our people are respected,” a resident declared.
In response, the military defended its actions, insisting that the affected settlements posed a security risk. A senior officer explained, “The presence of unauthorised structures around Jaji Cantonment compromises national security and hampers training activities. What was removed were illegal encroachments within the cantonment, not lawful houses.”
He added that discussions were ongoing with the state government to relocate affected communities and provide alternative settlements. “We understand the concerns of civilians, but national security imperatives must take priority,” he maintained.
