Residents of God’s Own Estate on Lokogoma Road in Abuja have cried-out to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, requesting their intervention to stop what they claim is a forcible takeover of their homes by court officials, armed police, and alleged thugs.
The community was thrown into chaos on Wednesday when more than 300 police officers, along with court officials and thugs, invaded the estate at dawn, breaking into homes, damaging gates, and discarding residents’ belongings.
They reported that valuables, including electronics and cash, were taken during the operation.
One landowner, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their distress:
“They arrived with around 10 trucks filled with police, thugs, and street gangs. They began breaking into homes. Most of us purchased these properties legally.
There is even an orphanage in our community. We’re not against those with court judgments, but the process should be handled correctly. Many of us are retirees, and this has disrupted the peace of our neighborhood.”
Another resident noted that nearly the entire estate was impacted:
“About 80 percent of homeowners were caught off guard. Their belongings were thrown out; some individuals were even evicted while they were bathing.”
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The frustrated homeowners emphasized that while they respect court rulings, enforcement must adhere to due process and not escalate into what they termed a “violent invasion.” They urged Wike and Egbetokun to safeguard lawful residents from further intimidation and to ensure justice is served.
It is worth noting that the IGP recently warned police officers against being involved in unlawful evictions during a public event.
“Officers should not be escorting parties for land recovery, disrupting legally established occupations, or interfering in civil disputes without a clear criminal element. Each such occurrence undermines the neutrality of the force and damages our reputation,” Egbetokun stated.
He cautioned that any officer who disregards this directive would face disciplinary action, emphasizing that the credibility of the police relies not only on their ability to combat crime but also on the ethical standards upheld from the top down.
