Shots Fired in Abuja as Angry Contractors Block Finance Minister Over Unpaid Debts

Tension gripped the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, on Monday as protesting indigenous contractors blocked the entrance to the complex, preventing the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, from gaining access to her office.

The protesters, operating under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), barricaded the ministry gate in a dramatic show of frustration over unpaid contractual obligations allegedly owed to them by the Federal Government.

According to eyewitnesses, the contractors arrived in large numbers early in the day, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards demanding immediate payment for completed projects, some of which they claim have remained unpaid for years.

Trouble began when the minister's convoy arrived at the scene. Security operatives attempted to clear a path for her entry into the premises, but the protesters stood their ground, insisting that no official would be allowed in until their demands were addressed.

The standoff quickly escalated as heated exchanges broke out between the contractors and security personnel. In the chaos that followed, a gunshot was heard, triggering panic among protesters and staff around the ministry.

Although no injuries were immediately reported, the sound of gunfire heightened tensions and forced many to flee the area, while others accused security operatives of using excessive force to suppress a peaceful protest.

AICAN members insist that their protest is not political but born out of desperation, warning that many indigenous businesses are collapsing due to the government's failure to honor payment agreements.

As of the time of filing this report, ministry officials had not issued an official statement, while the protesters vowed to sustain their action until the Federal Government responds.

The incident adds to mounting public pressure on the Tinubu administration to resolve the backlog of unpaid contractor debts, which industry groups say is crippling local businesses and discouraging indigenous participation in public projects.