10th August, 2026 | News

Zuba Market Traders Demand Compensation Nearly Two Years After Demolition

10 August 2026 | News

Shop owners affected by the demolition of more than 700 shops at the popular Zuba fruit market in Abuja have accused the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Gwagwalada Area Council of failing to compensate them nearly two years after the exercise.

The demolition was carried out in September 2024 by the FCTA through the Gwagwalada Area Council, leaving hundreds of traders without businesses and sources of livelihood.

Sources familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that efforts to obtain compensation and seek legal redress had repeatedly failed, with affected traders alleging that government officials had frustrated their attempts to pursue the matter.

According to one source, the affected shop owners had reached a ₦500 million compensation agreement with the Gwagwalada Area Council before the demolition through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The source said the traders had requested that the agreed compensation be paid before the demolition so they could relocate their businesses, but the council allegedly proceeded with the exercise despite their objections.

“We agreed compensation to the tune of ₦500 million, but the disagreement was that they wanted to demolish before paying, which we disapproved of.”

The source alleged that the demolition was carried out suddenly with the assistance of security personnel, adding that none of the affected traders had received compensation since the exercise.

An affected shop owner, who is also a member of the landlords’ association, said the traders had legally acquired the shops from the Gwagwalada Area Council and had completed the required documentation.

He explained that the traders were also required to remit revenue to the local government, which they allegedly did before the demolition.

The demolition has reportedly had severe economic consequences for the affected families. A senior executive of the Zuba shop owners’ association said some former traders had been forced to return to their villages and resort to subsistence farming after losing their businesses.

Sources also alleged that some affected traders died following the financial and emotional difficulties caused by the demolition. They claimed that some individuals who depended on their businesses to pay for medical treatment could no longer afford their healthcare after losing their sources of income.

The traders have also raised concerns over their ongoing legal battle with the authorities. According to sources, a judge handling the case filed by the affected shop owners allegedly stopped hearing the matter, while their lawyer subsequently withdrew from the case.

The affected traders said they later learnt that pressure may have been responsible for the developments, although the allegations have not been independently established.

The shop owners are now attempting to revive the legal action with a new lawyer. However, they remain concerned that their efforts could be frustrated by the Gwagwalada Area Council and the FCTA.

The affected traders are calling on relevant government agencies, human rights organisations and other stakeholders to intervene in the dispute, ensure accountability and help secure compensation for the hundreds of people whose businesses and livelihoods were destroyed by the demolition.

They maintained that resolving the matter would not only provide relief to the affected families but also restore confidence in government commitments and the protection of legally acquired property.