Nigerian Army personnel have reportedly invaded Tunga Maje in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, in a bid to seize land from indigenous residents.
SaharaReporters learned that the army stormed the community on Sunday evening, threatening to kill residents who failed to vacate their homes within 24 hours.
In several videos obtained by SaharaReporters, residents were seen hurriedly packing their belongings, fearing that the military would demolish their homes.
A source familiar with the situation said, “The Army is claiming their land. They came yesterday and asked them to move by this morning because they plan to fence their land.”
One of the affected residents featured in the videos said the entire community is gripped by fear over the situation.
He said: “You can see people removing their things, removing their clothes, their foodstuff. None of us could sleep last night. The Nigerian military came to us, threatening us, disturbing us with a quit notice, saying they would come and demolish all our houses.
“It started last week. We thought it was a joke. But they came this morning and began to threaten us that they would shoot us if we didn’t pack our properties. All members of the community are now under threat. These houses are not new; they have existed for donkey years, even before the creation of the FCT.
“We are now forced to leave our houses. Where do we go? We have reported this case to the government through the area council, our senator, members of the House of Representatives, and even the office of the president. Why is the Nigerian military not law-abiding? We are now homeless. Nobody has a place to stay. See our wives stranded. Where do we go today?”
The land dispute between the Nigerian Army and the Tunga Maje community in the FCT has been a longstanding and contentious issue, marked by claims of land ownership, legal battles, and community protests.
Origins of the Dispute
The conflict dates back to at least 2009 when the Nigerian Army asserted ownership over land in Tunga Maje, alleging it had been allocated to them for military purposes.
Conversely, the indigenous residents, who have inhabited the area for generations, contend that the land is their ancestral home and that they possess legitimate rights to it. They argue that the Army’s claims lack legal backing and that no formal allocation was made to the military.
Over the years, tensions have escalated, leading to several confrontations between the community and the military.
In 2016, residents protested at the National Assembly complex, decrying eviction notices purportedly issued by the Nigerian Army.
They highlighted that there was an existing court order restraining the Army from taking further action on the land pending the outcome of legal proceedings. Despite this, the Army allegedly continued its activities, prompting further unrest.
In 2019, the situation intensified when a standoff between soldiers and Tunga Maje residents resulted in the death of a community member, Hamza Haruna Usman, and injuries to others.
The confrontation occurred during a protest against the Army’s alleged takeover of their land, leading to road blockades and heightened tensions.
The indigenous people of Tunga Maje have consistently resisted what they describe as the Army’s illegal encroachment.
In December 2022, they staged protests against the military’s actions, accusing them of destroying farmlands, demolishing houses, and intimidating residents.
The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) intervened, with the then-FCT Commissioner for Public Complaints Commission, Dalhatu Musa Ezekiel, noting that the Army had no official allocation for the land and emphasising that then-President Muhammadu Buhari had previously directed the military to vacate the area.
Current Situation
Despite various interventions and legal proceedings, the dispute remains unresolved. The Nigerian Army continues to assert its claim over the land, while the Tunga Maje community steadfastly defends its ancestral rights.
