Gwagwalada Community Seeks Infrastructure, Farm Inputs

Residents of Kaida Tsoho community in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to provide basic amenities, raising concerns over worsening insecurity, deteriorating infrastructure, and lack of access to agricultural inputs.

At a community engagement event held yesterday in Abuja as part of the pre-launch of The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTION), a community leader, Mr. Jibreel Idris Galadima, said insecurity remained a major challenge, with the residents relying primarily on local vigilante groups for protection.

“It is only the vigilante groups, working with the police, that try to protect us — but their capacity is limited,” Galadima said. “We do not get enough attention from security agencies. If the government can strengthen support in this area, we will greatly appreciate it.”

Galadima lamented the declining productivity among rural farmers due to the high cost and unavailability of essential farming inputs such as fertilisers.

“In the past, we had access to fertilisers and other inputs. But now, the cost has become too high, drastically reducing our production. We urge the government to step in and support farmers,” he added.

Other residents echoed similar concerns, calling for urgent government intervention. Mr. Isah Barde shared how recent communal clashes devastated farmlands and left many farmers uncertain about the upcoming harvest.

“My own farm was destroyed. I haven’t been able to return, and I don’t even know if there will be anything to harvest this year,” he said.

He also decried the poor state of the community’s roads, especially during the rainy season, which has made access to healthcare and other services extremely difficult.

“When women go into labour, even at midnight, we have no option but to transport them on motorcycles to town. The local health centre has no doctor to attend to patients,” he added.

Another resident, Habiba Ali, spoke emotionally about the struggles women face during childbirth due to the absence of a functional hospital.

“Sometimes we have to trek or take bikes to the nearest town for delivery. Some women have even given birth on the roadside,” she said.

Ali also noted that the community’s only river often dries up or becomes contaminated, as livestock frequently step into it, making the water unsafe for consumption.

Representing the village chief, Mr. Ahmed Biko thanked the visiting team for listening to the residents’ concerns.

“They have all spoken well, and we have noted the issues raised,” Biko said.

Addressing the gathering, MOTION representative Mr. Omole Ibukun said the organisation would continue to mobilise communities to speak out and hold leaders accountable.

“The challenges we see in Kaida Tsoho — poor roads, lack of healthcare, land issues — are not unique. They exist across many parts of the FCT,” Ibukun said. “On October 17, we will officially launch the MOTION platform and lead a peaceful march to the center of governance to demand concrete action from those in power.”