), food vendors, petty traders, and artisans on Friday returned to an open field in Wuse Zone 3, where they had been squatting for years.The squatters were violently dispersed by the officials accompanied by security operatives around 12 noon on Thursday.
When asked why they returned despite the harsh treatment by officials of the task force just the day before, most of them claimed they had nowhere to go. “This place was given to us as a park by the FCTA,” he said. “When we got here, this place was a bush. People used to come here to smoke under those trees and constitute a nuisance. We took over this place to operate, maintain and preserve it.”He acknowledged receiving ‘rent’ from the squatters but would not say how much. Mr Ali said different businesses have been thriving under the arrangement for years.
“The ‘agreement’ we had with them was that we will vacate it whenever they need it for whatever purpose. Also commenting on the incident that led to the destruction of traders’ properties by the agency officials, he said he was not around when the incident occurred.
They have to return since they have nowhere to go. Will they not eat? Poverty can force people to do what they will not ordinarily do. Find alternative for them if you don't want them to be there.