Soldiers Allegedly Attack Development Control Officials During Abuja Demolition Exercise

In a tense incident yesterday in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, armed soldiers reportedly acting on the orders of a senior army officer disrupted a demolition exercise led by officials from the Development Control Department. The officials had been deployed to the area to dismantle illegal structures, including a fence surrounding a building on Plot 416, said to belong to a Major General whose name was withheld.

According to an official on-site, trouble began when the Major General became aware of the demolition activity at his property. He allegedly dispatched two soldiers to the location, who arrived in a vehicle with a covered number plate. The soldiers reportedly blocked the team’s exit from the premises and issued threats, declaring that someone “must die today.”

One of the soldiers, identified only as Private Jamilu, allegedly pointed his rifle at the caterpillar operator, ordering him to step out of the vehicle. The operator complied but was subsequently assaulted, with his shirt torn in the process. Jamilu reportedly fired his weapon, flattening all four tires of the caterpillar, and then called for reinforcements from the Major General.

When additional soldiers arrived, they allegedly detained the caterpillar operator, the site officer, and six other enforcement officials. The detained individuals were reportedly beaten and held hostage for several hours. Three Hilux vehicles belonging to the Development Control team were seized and taken to the Major General’s residence, while the tires of other vehicles on-site were flattened with gunfire.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Trademore Estate reportedly arrived at the scene but was said to have been dismissed by the Major General without acknowledgment. The DPO left with plans to return, though the outcome of her intervention remains unclear.

Efforts to reach the army authorities for comments on the incident have so far been unsuccessful.