Members of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, who accused Nigerian Air Force personnel of harassing them and forcefully seizing their land in the Federal Capital Territory, have announced plans to picket the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
In exclusive interviews with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the members disclosed that the protest would take place on Thursday (tomorrow).
“We are going to picket the office of the Defence Ministry in Abuja on Thursday to press for our demands,” the group said.
The society alleged that in 2023, armed NAF operatives invaded their 13.5-hectare property at Hulumi Village, Idu, Abuja, chasing away property owners and detaining some members.
According to the cooperative, the land had been legally allocated to them by the government after all financial obligations were fulfilled.
Despite this, they claimed the Air Force had taken over the property in defiance of legal procedures and an existing court order.
The chairman of the cooperative, Emmanuel Odoh, told PUNCH Metro that members were shocked when the Nigerian Air Force encroached on the land despite compensation having already been paid to the host community and clearance obtained from relevant agencies.
“Despite paying compensation to the community, development control, and all relevant agencies, several years after our payment, we discovered that the Air Force had moved into Phase 2 of our land,” Odoh said.
“What I want is for them to stop work because the development agencies are still reviewing our land documents to determine rightful ownership.
“While we were engaging with the development control, they began encroaching further. They must stop fencing that place, especially with a subsisting court order in place.”
Another member, Tony Christian, explained in a separate interview that the land was primarily meant for staff and retirees of the agency.
“The land is for staff and retirees, though some members sold to outsiders. It was divided into Phase 1 and Phase 2. The NAF has its estate near ours,” he said.
The group maintained that unless the government intervenes, they would proceed with their planned protest at the Ministry of Defence to press home their demands.
PUNCH.
