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.
Israel launched multiple airstrikes on mountainous areas in eastern Lebanon on Thursday, October 23, targeting Hezbollah positions, according to statements from both Lebanese and Israeli sources.
“Israeli warplanes launched a series of violent strikes on the eastern mountain range” in the Bekaa region near the Syrian border, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported. The agency also said two Israeli strikes hit the Hermel range in the country’s northeast.
The Israeli military confirmed the attacks, stating that they targeted Hezbollah sites in eastern and northern Lebanon, including “a military camp and a site for the production of precision missiles” in the Bekaa. It said the strikes hit “several terrorist targets,” including “a camp used for training Hezbollah militants” and “military infrastructure at a site for the production of precision missiles.” The statement added that Israeli forces also struck “a Hezbollah military site in the Sharbin area in northern Lebanon.”
The strikes come despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November, which ended over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, including two months of open conflict. The ceasefire required Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon and for Hezbollah to dismantle its military presence in the area.
Under pressure from the United States and in an effort to prevent renewed escalation, the Lebanese government has begun taking steps to disarm Hezbollah. However, the militant group and its allies remain firmly opposed to the plan.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have a crew of dangerous illegal migrants, including Senegalese outlaws with lengthy rap sheets for drug trafficking, robbery, domestic violence, and assaults on cops.
Federal agents descended on the long-troubled Chinatown strip on Canal Street between Lafayette and Centre Streets on Tuesday, October 20, rounding up illegal vendors who peddle knockoff designer bags and stolen goods.
Nine migrants, the majority of whom were released into the US under the Biden administration, were arrested and taken into custody for deportation, Homeland Security officials said.
“ICE conducted a targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation on Canal Street in New York City, focused on criminal activity relating to selling counterfeit goods,” Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement Wednesday.
“ICE arrested nine illegal aliens with criminal histories including robbery, burglary, domestic violence, assaulting law enforcement, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, drug possession and forgery,” she added.
While all nine were in the country illegally, six of the immigrants have criminal records, including Ndiaye, who has been busted for robbery, domestic violence, drugs and forgery, federal officials said.
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.
