A pregnant property owner in Abuja has raised an alarm after officials from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) allegedly deployed armed security personnel to demolish her fence, physically assaulting her in the process, despite a pending court case concerning the land.
Violent Demolition on 5th Avenue, Gwarinpa
The incident occurred on Friday around noon at a property located along 5th Avenue, 52 Road, in Gwarinpa II Estate, Abuja. The land is owned by Tolwu Integrated Properties Ltd, with Hajiya Sadiya as the proprietor. According to her account, two Coaster buses filled with armed security operatives and FHA staff arrived at the site to destroy the perimeter fence.
Hajiya Sadiya stated that she rushed to the site with her lawyer upon hearing of the demolition team's arrival. She immediately asked the officers to present any court order or official document authorising the action. "They didn't show anything," she told journalists.
Assault and Arrest Despite Legal Pleas
The landowner explained that she informed the team about the subsisting court case and even pleaded with them to resolve the matter at the nearest police station, but they refused. When a bulldozer was moved onto the property, she attempted to physically block it.
"Four men grabbed me, removed my headgear, wrestled me to the ground and tear-gassed me," Hajiya Sadiya recounted. She sustained injuries, including wounds on her arm from being dragged on the ground. Her husband was arrested when he tried to intervene and was taken to the Gwarinpa Police Station.
History of the Land and the Court Order
Hajiya Sadiya provided a detailed history of her ownership. She purchased the land from Savannah Suites in 2012 and obtained a Letter of Consent from the FHA in 2013 after clearing arrears of N13.5 million. She later applied for and received approvals for a change of purpose (2023) and a Development Plan (2025), having submitted all required designs. She maintains she has paid all ground rents and official expenses since 2012 without default.
The dispute arose after portions of the Gwarinpa land were reportedly allocated to another party. Hajiya Sadiya subsequently approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Bwari. On 1 July 2025, in suit number FCT/HC/B/CV/227/2025, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the substantive suit. The case was heard on 22 October 2025 and adjourned to 25 January 2026.
FHA Response and Broader Petitions
When contacted, the FHA Head of Public Relations, Mr Kenneth Chigelu, stated that the matter involved land ownership issues and that documents exist to substantiate legal entitlement. He claimed that "the lady has already been given the portion of land to which she is legally entitled."
This incident is not isolated. On 7 July 2025, a group of FHA employees and stakeholders submitted a petition calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the EFCC, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development to investigate the FHA over alleged misconduct and mismanagement.
The event highlights serious concerns about the rule of law, the use of force by state-affiliated entities, and the protection of citizens' property rights against powerful agencies.
