Nigeria mass evictions condemned

The demolitions were carried out over five years

The authorities in Nigeria's capital Abuja evicted more than 800,000 people from their homes in four years, a report says.

Slums were demolished all over the capital between 2003 and 2007 in an attempt by authorities to implement a "master plan" for the city.

But Swiss-based lobby group Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions says the evictions were devastating.

City authorities said they were trying to prevent Abuja becoming chaotic.

The demolitions took place under the administration of the former minister for the Federal Capital Territory Nasir el-Rufai.

Vulnerable

The COHRE said more people were affected than in the slum clearances ordered by Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, which drew worldwide condemnation.

"The demolitions have made people homeless, destitute and vulnerable to other human rights violations including violence, theft and rape," COHRE's Deanna Fowler said.

"People have lost their access to water and sanitation facilities, health care centres, and schools, and have been forced to move further from sources of employment."

They called on the current minister Moddibo Umar to make a "clean break" from the policy.

'Not for everyone'

During his tenure, Mr el-Rufai drew criticism from Abuja residents by saying the city "was not for everyone".

People believed he was referring to poor people.

Authorities made it impossible for people to live in the city by refusing to build affordable housing, the report says.

There are still not enough houses for people on low incomes, COHRE says.

A spokesman for Mr Umar said he questioned the report's numbers.

"How did they come up with that figure?" Diran Onifade asked.

"The focus of this administration is not on demolishing houses," he added.