More than 200 families in Nuwalege, a rural community along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road in Abuja, have been displaced following the demolition of their homes to make way for an extension of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).

The affected residents have been forced to seek refuge in neighboring communities such as Zamani, Sauka, Giri, Iddo, and Gwagwalada.

Details on the PAF project and its funding are currently unavailable, but it appears that construction is set to begin soon, as Nigeria Air Force (NAF) personnel have been mobilized to the site. However, the displaced families report that they have not received any compensation from the Federal Capital Territory Administration, led by Nyesom Wike, the Nigeria Air Force, or the Ministry of Aviation.

A correspondent visiting Nuwalege on Wednesday was barred from entering the area by heavily armed Air Force personnel stationed at the site.

In December, during a community engagement, Muktar Galadima, Director of the FCT Department of Development Control, stated that the Air Force had notified the FCT minister about the planned relocation. He mentioned that the status of compensation was uncertain and promised further investigation.

“We will consult with the Air Force to determine if any compensation has been paid, and if so, to whom and when,” Galadima said.

Following the demolition in January, Galadima claimed that residents were given a two-month notice before the demolition began. He added that his office had informed the Air Force about the FCTA’s policy on relocating indigenous communities and that indigenous structures were excluded from the demolition due to statutory requirements for relocation and compensation.

“We informed the residents on Air Force land about the planned action and provided a two-month window for them to move. While we acknowledged the need for relocating non-indigenes, the properties of indigenous people were not touched as they are entitled to relocation and compensation,” he explained.