- House orders Navy to halt eviction of FCT communities
- Residents accuse Navy of trespass, intimidation, demolitions
- Hearing adjourned to March after Navy’s absence
The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Navy to immediately stop the eviction of several communities in the Federal Capital Territory, pending the determination of a petition before the National Assembly.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Kano: ‘I Will Not Abandon Kwankwaso’ – Gov Yusuf’s Aide Resigns
- 5 Health Risks Men Face After Age 40
- CBN to Introduce New Policy to Regulate Debit Card Issuance, ATM Operations
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Public Complaints Commission disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Wednesday.
According to the commission, the directive was issued on November 13, 2025, by the Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, Kwamoti Laori Bitrus, during a hearing on a petition filed by the FCT office of the commission against the Nigerian Navy.
The petition, presented by the Federal Commissioner of the commission, Musa Dikko, accused naval personnel of criminal trespass, intimidation, unlawful seizure of farmlands, demolition of residential buildings and extortion in Tunga Giwa, Tunga Wakili, Tunga Madaki, Iddo Sarki and Nuwalege communities.
Dikko said the affected settlements existed long before the creation of the Federal Capital Territory in 1976.
The commission further alleged that residents were threatened with eviction and given until December 2025 to vacate the disputed land. It said the actions violated provisions of the Land Use Act and principles of natural justice.
According to the commission, the development has caused severe hardship for residents, many of whom depend on farming for their livelihood, leading to economic losses and heightened insecurity.
While acknowledging the authority of government to acquire land for public purposes, Dikko stressed that such powers must be exercised responsibly, with adequate compensation, resettlement and engagement with affected communities.
Chairman of the committee, Kwamoti Laori Bitrus, commended the commission for its intervention, describing the petition as necessary for the protection of citizens’ rights and the rule of law.
The matter was initially adjourned to December 9, 2025, and later to January 27, 2026, after the Nigerian Navy failed to respond to the allegations.
At the resumed hearing, representatives of the Navy were again absent but sent a letter seeking another adjournment.
Deputy Chairman of the committee, Mathew Nwogu, warned that decisive action would be taken if the Navy fails to appear at the next sitting. The hearing has now been adjourned to March 4, 2026.
