Residents of Abuja are set to stage a protest on Saturday, March 28, 2026, over what they describe as the steady erosion of green areas and public spaces under the administration of Nyesom Wike.

The demonstration, tagged #SaveJabiPark, follows rising concerns over alleged commercial encroachment on Jabi Lake Park, one of the city’s most popular public leisure spaces.

Public outrage grows

The issue gained traction after an Abuja-based user on X raised alarm over reported development activities within the park.

The post quickly went viral, sparking widespread reactions and prompting residents to highlight similar concerns about shrinking green areas across the capital.

Organisers say the protest is being driven by residents, civic advocates, and urban planning activists who believe Abuja’s original master plan is under threat.

Concerns over urban planning

Abuja was designed as a structured capital with designated green zones, ecological buffers, and environmental corridors meant to regulate temperature, manage drainage, and preserve urban balance.

Protesters argue that converting these spaces into residential and commercial developments could undermine environmental stability and limit public access.

Residents in districts such as Wuse and Guzape have previously raised concerns that construction on green corridors is contributing to infrastructure strain, including sewer leaks and pressure on underground utilities.

Policy actions and backlash

The debate intensified following recent actions by the FCT administration. In one instance, Minister Wike revoked approvals for a developer accused of converting a designated green area in Guzape into a residential estate.

While some residents welcomed the move, others say it reflects deeper structural issues around land allocation and enforcement in the capital.

Critics argue that broader policy decisions may increasingly favour land monetisation over environmental protection.

Protesters demand transparency

Organisers say the protest is not against development but rather a call for responsible urban planning and transparency.

One coordinator noted that Jabi Lake Park has served as a vital recreational space for nearly two decades, providing residents with a place for relaxation, social interaction, and wellbeing.

Another organiser expressed concern over reports and images showing excavation activities within the park, warning that continued development could permanently alter its character.

Calls for sustainable development

Some residents have also criticised suggestions that the area could be transformed into a commercial hub, arguing instead for models that prioritise green spaces.

They point to examples like Central Park as a benchmark for preserving accessible urban green areas.

The protest aims to push authorities to recommit to Abuja’s master plan, improve transparency in land allocation, and strengthen oversight to prevent further encroachment on ecological zones.

A broader urban concern

For many residents, the issue goes beyond Jabi Lake Park. They warn that continued loss of green spaces could make Abuja hotter, more congested, and less liveable.

Organisers say the March 28 protest will be peaceful, serving as a symbolic action to draw attention to what they describe as a gradual shift in the city’s development priorities.

While it remains unclear whether the demonstration will lead to policy changes, it signals growing civic engagement among residents determined to protect the environmental and planning legacy of Nigeria’s capital.

The post Abuja Residents Plan #SaveJabiPark Protest Over Threat to Green Spaces appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Security operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday dispersed protesters at the main entrance of the National Assembly in Abuja, causing panic among demonstrators.

The protesters had gathered at the complex to express their grievances over the Senate’s approval of both electronic transmission and manual collation of election results.

Tension reportedly escalated when some of the demonstrators attempted to force their way into the National Assembly premises, prompting police officers to fire canisters of teargas to disperse the crowd.

Eyewitnesses said hundreds of protesters, many of them women, scrambled for safety as the teargas spread across the area, leading to confusion and panic.

An elderly woman was said to have fainted after inhaling the gas, while others struggled to move away from the scene.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The post Police Fire Teargas at Protesters Outside National Assembly appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A popular shopping complex, EDA Plaza, located in the Jabi area of Abuja, has been shut down following a police operation to disperse protesters demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The protest, which began earlier on Monday, turned chaotic when police officers fired multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered in parts of the city. Several protesters ran into EDA Plaza to escape the gas, prompting officers to fire tear gas into the building.

Traders, customers, and journalists fled in panic as smoke filled the premises. As of press time, the plaza remained sealed off, with police patrol vehicles stationed around the area.

Earlier, protesters under the #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow campaign had converged on various parts of Abuja, including Maitama and Utako, demanding Kanu’s release in compliance with the 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted him.

Police operatives had first dispersed the group around the Transcorp Hilton area using tear gas canisters, causing panic among commuters and traders. The protesters later regrouped in Utako, chanting solidarity songs and displaying banners before being dispersed again by armed officers.

The demonstrators, comprising civil rights activists and members of pro-democracy groups, say their campaign is aimed at urging the Federal Government to respect court orders and release Kanu unconditionally.

Source: Punch

The post Abuja Plaza Shuts Down Following Police Clash With #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow Protesters appeared first on Housing TV Africa.