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Summary
Senator Ireti Kingibe has condemned the reported police shooting of unarmed residents protesting a demolition in Abuja’s Karsana area, calling it a gross abuse of power. She demanded justice for the victims and a more compassionate approach to urban development.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Nigerian Senate, has condemned the reported police shooting of unarmed residents protesting the demolition of their homes in the Karsana area of Abuja.
According to eyewitnesses, security operatives reportedly opened fire on residents who were peacefully protesting the demolition. Several people were reportedly injured, though the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed.
In a statement dated July 23, 2025, Senator Ireti expressed outrage over the incident, which occurred during a demolition exercise carried out by the FCT Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike.
“As the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, I am deeply disturbed and angered by the tragic events that unfolded today in Karsana, Abuja, where police reportedly opened fire on unarmed residents protesting the demolition of their homes,” she said in the statement.
“That bullets were fired at civilians, people merely trying to salvage their lives and dignity, is both unacceptable and indefensible. This is not law enforcement; it is state-sponsored trauma.”
Senator Ireti criticised the FCT Administration’s approach, stating that it lacked compassion and treated citizens as expendable.
“We cannot 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,” she said.
She called for immediate investigation, justice for the victims, and a shift in how urban development is carried out in the capital city, stating that the government must remember that its duty is to protect, not persecute.
“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,” she said.
