By Usman Shuaibu
The community leader of Anguwan Fadama in Iddo Sarki, Mr. Adamu A. Guniya, has appealed directly to the Chief of Defence Staff to rein in military personnel and halt the alleged ongoing intimidation of local indigenes over a disputed 17-year land tussle.
Guniya said his plea follows a major breakthrough for the community, after FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike and the National Assembly reportedly ordered the military to vacate the community land in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) due to their inability to produce a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
Speaking on behalf of the affected residents, Guniya expressed profound relief over the federal intervention.
He revealed that the community had been battling military encroachment since 2009, with personnel claiming the land was allocated to them under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
He however, noted that investigations by federal authorities have now debunked those claims.
“The Director in charge of land at the FCT Administration came to the National Assembly to testify that Iddo Sarki Community land actually belonged to Aviation for the expansion of the Airport,” Guniya stated, exposing the flaw in the military’s claims.
The community leader praised the swift response of the FCT Minister and lawmakers after a delegation of Iddo Sarki representatives petitioned them over persistent harassment by soldiers.
While urging the military high command to respect the eviction directive and protect civil-military relations, Guniya also counselled his people to remain law-abiding.
“I am calling on our indigenes to remain patient with the government,” Guniya said, expressing confidence that the administration is taking the right steps to permanently resolve the security and land issues in the area.
