An Abuja based lawyer, Jacob Solomon Agada has petitioned the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Bala Abubakar over alleged unlawful arrest, detention and torture of his client’s workers in Abuja by some Air Force personnel over a land dispute, in respect of which a suit is currently pending before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The land dispute is said to be between one Sheik Jibril Ibrahim and Stats Global Homes Ltd on one side and Alhaji Manir Lawal and three others on the other side, with the suit now pending before Justice Othman Musa of High Court No 7 of the FCT.
Agada said despite the pendency of the suit, marked FCTHC/CV/3844/2024, a group of Air Force personnel led by the Provost, Nigeria Air Force Camp, Mogadishu Barrack, Asokoro, Abuja, Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja, unlawfully dabbled into the property dispute with invasion and forceful abduction of workers of his client, Stats Global Homes Ltd, the 2nd plaintiff in the suit.
In the petition received by the office of the Chief of Air Staff on July 25, the said Flight Lieutenant Hussein was alleged to have taken sides with Alhaji Manir Lawal with the arrest of his clients’ workers twice and taken them to unlawful custody.
Agada alleged that the said Provost engaged in gross abuse of office on July 22, when he led a team of armed Air Force personnel and several young Airforce officers and invaded the premises of his Client’s property purportedly acting on the prompting of Alhaji Manir Lawal, the Ist Defendant in the pending court case.
The lawyer claimed that without any lawful justification or judicial backing, the said military personnel forcefully invaded his client’s property at plot 1317 and 1328, Extension I11 B Layout, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, FCT-Abuja, arrested three staff members and bundled them to the Air Force facility at Mogadishu Barracks for unlawful detention.
He said while efforts were being made to secure the release of the three workers, the same Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja in company of one Flight Lieutenant A. A. Abdulahi., a regular officer in Charge of Regiment Personnel, came back with additional troops and forcefully abducted two other unarmed workers and brutally assaulted them.
Agada claimed that the last two abducted workers, Omeje Usman Eneojo and one Sunday are currently on admission at Kubwa General Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for severe injuries inflicted on them during the unlawful assault.
He pleaded photographic evidence of attacks against the workers and their medical reports to establish the case of unprofessional conduct against the Air Force personnel.
The lawyer therefore demanded a full scale probe into the alleged unprofessional conduct of the personnel with a view to fish them out for sanctions.
He also demanded a sum of N300 million compensation for the victims of the unlawful arrest and detention as well as public apologies.
The lawyer threatened to take legal action against NAF should it refuse to meet the demands of the victims within 7 days of receipt of the petition.
The petition obtained by our correspondent read in part “We are Solicitors to Stats Global Homes Limited, the 2nd Claimant in the above mentioned suit, and beneficial owner of Plots 1317 and 1328, Extension I11 B Layout, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, FCT-Abuja, hereinafter referred to as “our client.”
“We write upon our Client’s instructions and in utmost concern over a disturbing and unlawful incident that occurred on the 22nd day of July, 2025.
“On the said date, a certain Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja, a Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) – Officer In Charge of the Provost Squadron (OC Provost) 053 HQ NAF Camp, Asokoro, Abuja and one Flight Lieutenant A. A Abdullahi a Regular Officer from NDA. The Officer In Charge of Regiment Personnel (OC Regiment) 053 HQ NAF Camp Abuja, led a team of armed Nigerian Air Force personnel and several young Airforce personnel to the premises of our Client, purportedly acting on the prompting of Alhaji Manir Lawal, the Ist Defendant in the above-referenced suit, which is currently pending before Court No. 7 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
“Without any lawful justification or judicial backing, the said military personnel forcefully invaded our client’s property and arrested three staff members, who were subsequently taken to the Air Force facility at Mogadishu Barracks.
“Disturbingly, the same Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja in company of one Flight Lieutenant A. A. Abdulahi, a regular officer in Charge of Regiment Personnel (O. C. Regiment) 053 HQ NAF Camp, Asokoro, Abuja later mobilized additional troops, returned to a building adjacent to our client’s property and abducted two other unarmed members after
brutal assault and taken them away.
“The names of the victims are Omeje Usman Eneojo and one Sunday and are currently on admission at Kubwa General Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for severe injuries sustained in the unlawful assault.
“Photographic evidence and medical reports will be tendered during trial.
“This act of flagrant abuse of military power, carried out under the leadership of the personnel does not only undermine the sanctity of the judiciary and its processes but also violates the constitutional rights of our client’s staff to dignity of persons and protection from unlawful arrest and torture.
“We hereby state unequivocally that the Nigerian Air Force has no legal mandate to intervene in civil land matters;
“That the actions of the named officers, leading other personnel constitute contempt of court and a reckless attempt to use state apparatus to favor one party in an ongoing suit.
“That this conduct erodes public trust in the neutrality and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“In view of the above, we respectfully demand the following:
“An immediate comprehensive investigation into the actions of Provost H.E. Hussein and all military personnel involved in the illegal operation of 22nd July 2025;
“Administrative sanctions and disciplinary measures against all identified officers;
“A formal apology from the Nigerian Air Force to our Client and the affected staff;
“Full compensation for the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma suffered by the victims valued in the sum of Three Hundred Million Naira only (N300M)
“Please take notice that failure of NAF to act within seven days of your receipt of this letter will leave us with no option but to proceed with legal action before the competent Court of law and petition the National Human Rights Commission and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) without further notice.
Although Justice Othman Musa has slated suit in respect of the property for hearing, efforts to get reactions of the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame to the alleged unlawful invasion, arrest and detention of the victims were unsuccessful.
The NAF spokesperson did not respond to several calls and messages put through her cell phone.
The Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf had assigned the case on the disputed property to Justice Othman Musa for determination before the alleged unlawful involvement of the NAF personnel in the land dispute between civilians.
The Kebbi State Police Command has disbursed cheques totalling ₦33,816,610.97 to 50 families of police officers who died in active service.
The presentation, held on Thursday at the Command’s Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, was made by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Sani, as part of the Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Schemes initiated to support families of fallen heroes.
PUNCH Online reports that the Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Schemes are part of the ongoing initiatives under Egbetokun to enhance welfare and provide financial relief to families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sani commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for his steadfast commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.
He described the gesture as a reflection of the IGP’s compassion and dedication to the well-being of officers, saying it had brought “immense joy and relief” to many bereaved families.
“The Inspector-General’s magnanimity continues to boost morale, enhance performance, and uplift the spirit of our officers across the country,” the Commissioner said, praying for God’s continued guidance for the police chief.
Sani urged the beneficiaries to invest the funds wisely in ventures that would ensure lasting benefits for their dependents.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, Sonnen Simeon Mome thanked the IG for his generosity, noting that the support would have a meaningful impact on their lives.
“This gesture shows that the Nigeria Police Force has not forgotten the sacrifices of our loved ones,” Mome said, assuring that the money would be put to good use.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on his emergence as President of the 2026 Gas Exporting Countries Forum Ministerial Meeting held in Doha, Qatar.
PUNCH Online reports that the 27th ministerial meeting was held today, Thursday, in Doha, Qatar. Key items discussed include coordination among member states to address global policies that may pose challenges to the development and trade of natural gas.
Participants also discussed organisational matters, including the election of the next GECF Secretary-General and preparations for the 8th GECF Heads of State Summit, to be held in Moscow.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also felicitated with the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, Philip Mshelbila, on his election as Secretary-General of the GECF.
The president described their new roles as a further consolidation of Nigeria’s leadership in global gas diplomacy.
Tinubu expressed confidence that both Mshelbila and Ekpo will represent Nigeria with excellence and collaborate with other member states to deepen cooperation, stability, and inclusivity in the global gas market.
“The Nigerian government is proud of Mshelbila’s election as secretary-general and Ekpo’s emergence as president of the GECF Ministerial meeting, as the two positions reflect the international community’s confidence in Nigeria’s leadership and technical expertise in the global gas sector,” the President said.
“Natural gas remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth, energy security, and economic transformation under our administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Our country shall remain a dependable voice in advancing equitable energy access and a cleaner energy future,” he added.
Tragedy struck in the university community of Felele, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Wednesday, as a heavy-duty truck crushed a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, Federal University, Lokoja.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Tenimu Etuku, confirmed the death of the lecturer, Mrs Kemi Emmanuel, on Thursday in a telephone conversation with our correspondent in Lokoja, describing the incident as “very sad and unfortunate.”
Etuku said the accident occurred around 3:30 pm on Wednesday when the lecturer fell off a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as an okada, after being hit by a speeding truck along the highway at Crusher, in the Lokoja metropolis.
“When the accident happened, our rescue team responded promptly and quickly rushed the victim to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
“The corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary,” he said.
The FRSC commander expressed shock over the conduct of the okada rider involved in the incident.
This heartrending occurrence has once again highlighted growing concerns over the increasing frequency of accidents involving heavy-duty trucks along the busy Felele axis.
PUNCH Online reports that in May 2025, 19 people, including five children, lost their lives in a tragic accident along the Obajana–Lokoja road, prompting the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, to call for stricter enforcement of road traffic laws on federal highways.
Similarly, in April, six persons died in a road crash involving a passenger bus along the Lokoja–Abuja road, while on October 12, ten persons were killed in another accident along the same Obajana–Lokoja route.
Residents and students have since voiced their concerns, urging the Kogi State Government to take immediate and strategic actions to prevent further tragic loss of lives in similar incidents.
It has been strongly suggested that regulations be introduced to restrict trailers from passing through the city during the day, allowing their movement only after 9:00 pm.
