Dare Babalola
The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe has condemned the brutalisation of residents of Karsana, Abuja who were protesting the demolition of their homes.
The lawmaker, in a statement she signed on July 23, 2025, noted that she is “disturbed and angered” by the incident, claiming that the police opened fire on the unarmed residents who were “merely trying to salvage their lives and dignity”.
Kingibe noted that the conduct of the officers was unacceptable and indefensible, adding that it is not law enforcement; but state-sponsored trauma.
She wrote, “We can not build a just society by bulldozing communities without compassion or firing at citizens instead of listening to them. This incident represents a gross abuse of power and a violation of the fundamental rights of our people. The pain, fear, and indignity inflicted on these residents is something no human being deserves, least of all in our nation’s capital.
“I call on the relevant authorities to act swiftly to investigate this heinous act, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure the victims receive the care and compensation they need. The government must remember that its duty is to protect, not persecute. We must rethink this approach to urban development that treats our people as obstacles instead of stakeholders.
“This is a moment for sober reflection, not bureaucratic excuses. I will not stay silent while those I represent bleed. Abuja must not become a place where the poor live in fear of the very government meant to serve them.”
