By Our Correspondent
Subscribers and owners of plots of estate land located in Hulumi, Idu railway axis of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have vowed to resist the alleged attempt by the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, to forcefully take over the land from them.
The subscribers in a statement signed by Omolara Babalola, said the plots of land were acquired in 2012 from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, under its Multiple-purpose Cooperative Society, but they were surprised in December 2023 when some gun-wielding operatives of the Nigeria Air Force stormed the estate and rounded up their members on site.
“We are subscribers and plot owners of the estate advertised and sold in 2012 by NPHCDA under the agency’s multiple-purpose cooperative society.
“The estate, located in Hulumi, Idu railway axis of the FCT, compromises phase 1 and 2, with both phases located in close proximity.
“13 years ago when our members keyed into the estate, some of us were young and aspiring Nigerians who hoped to own our home in the near future. Others who have advanced in their careers anticipated that they will some day retire to their home when they leave service.
“But that dream began to shatter in December 2023 after gun-wielding operatives of the Nigeria Air Force stormed our estate, rounded up our members on site and later transported them to NAF facility where they were detained before occupying phase 1 section of the estate, leaving us with phase 2 section which could barely accommodate members who must have lost their plots of land in phase 1.
“It is instructive to note that sadly, NAF has refused to vacate the illegally appropriated land despite the opinion of Abuja Geographic Information System, AGIS; Development Control and other relevant land authorities in the FCT that the land belongs to us.
“NAF has remained adamant since it forcefully and illegally took over phase 1 of our estate, but we want the world to know that we will resist the recent attempts to take over the phase 2 being our only hope of having a roof over the heads of our family,” the statement read.
The subscribers, therefore, appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and executive director of NPHCDA to prevail on NAF authorities and others involved in the said forceful ejection to immediately vacate the lands to forestall breakdown of law and order.
“The actions of Nigeria Air Force towards us, the citizens it was meant to defend, is a serious violation of our fundamental rights to the dignity of human person and right to property, which must be condemned by all,” Babalola added.
When contacted by our correspondent, the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, did not take his calls.
