Nigeria Is a Country Governed by Rule of Law Under Renewed Hope Agenda — Military Veterans Raise Concerns Over Alleged Encroachment on FCT Land
Military and paramilitary veterans who participated in various operations, including ECOMOG, Operation Zaman Lafiya and Operation Pulo Shield, have raised concerns over what they describe as an alleged encroachment on land allocated to them in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The veterans, who are beneficiaries of a welfare housing initiative coordinated through a Special Purpose Vehicle known as the Special Vehicle Plant (SVP) Trust Scheme, claim that construction activities have recently commenced on the land, which they say forms part of their approved housing project.
Speaking through their representatives, a retired Army officer Ayo Olufemi who chose not to mention his rank, the group urged relevant authorities to ensure that all issues relating to the land dispute are handled strictly in accordance with the law. They maintained that Nigeria remains a country governed by the rule of law under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
- Advertisement -
According to the veterans, the land in dispute is identified as Plot 2303 in Asokoro Cadastral Zone A04, an area that shares boundaries with other military lands belonging to the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.
The group explained that the plot was allocated for the development of a veterans’ welfare housing scheme under the SVP Trust arrangement. Under the framework, the SVP was responsible for site planning, subdivision of the land, allocation to individual beneficiaries, and coordination of Right of Occupancy documentation through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
They stated that beneficiaries opened individual land application files with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and received official acknowledgements before land offer letters were issued in 2015.
The veterans further claimed that the project complied with regulatory requirements, including approvals from relevant departments within the FCDA, and that about ₦400 million was reportedly paid as part of statutory ground rent obligations requested by the FCTA.
However, the group alleged that officials linked to the Nigerian Army recently began construction activities on the plot, which they believe falls within the land allocated for the veterans’ housing scheme.
In a petition addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the veterans called for government intervention to prevent what they described as an attempted takeover of the land pending clarification of ownership and boundary issues.
According to the petitioners, the Nigerian Army was previously allocated a neighbouring parcel identified as Plot 2302, measuring approximately 248 hectares, from a larger expanse of land originally designated for military formations and barracks development in the Asokoro area.
They stated that the area behind Mogadishu Cantonment had been earmarked primarily for barracks and accommodation for military personnel.
The veterans also said the allocation of Plot 2303 to their welfare scheme followed representations made to the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in recognition of the role played by Nigerian troops during the ECOMOG operations in Sierra Leone.
Beneficiaries of the scheme, they added, had fulfilled statutory obligations, including the payment of required ground rents and other administrative charges.
The group further alleged that attempts were made by individuals linked to Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) and other parties to merge Plot 2303 with the adjoining Plot 2302 belonging to the Army.
They also claimed that a Memorandum of Understanding was subsequently signed with developers for the construction of residential units described as “modern affordable homes,” with projected selling prices reportedly ranging between ₦81 million and ₦125 million.
According to the petitioners, construction work on the disputed area reportedly began on December 24, 2025.
The veterans stated that some infrastructure earlier developed on the land — including access roads and other facilities constructed in line with FCDA approvals — may have been affected by the ongoing activities.
They also raised broader concerns about the management of military land allocations in the Asokoro area.
According to the petition, Plot 2302 was originally designated for additional barracks development, including a proposed Phase 2 expansion of the facility now known as Tinubu Barracks Phase 1.
However, the veterans alleged that portions of the land were subsequently transferred or sold to institutions, developers and private individuals over time, contrary to the original land-use designation.
They further claimed that only a fraction of the approximately 248 hectares allocated to the Army has reportedly been developed for barracks infrastructure.
The petitioners also alleged that Nigerian Army Properties Limited has continued to transact on parts of the Army’s land allocation through arrangements involving developers and intermediaries.
The veterans argued that these developments may have contributed to boundary disputes involving neighbouring plots, including the land allocated for their housing project.
They therefore called on the FCT Minister to order an immediate review of activities on the disputed land and ensure that all actions comply with existing approvals and legal processes.
In addition, the group requested the establishment of an independent inquiry to examine allegations relating to the allocation and disposal of military land in the Asokoro area.
They also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate claims concerning the alleged diversion or sale of portions of the Army’s land.
Efforts to obtain official responses from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Army Properties Limited, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MARCH 16TH 2026)
