Military and paramilitary veterans who served in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), Operation Zaman Lafiya, and Operation Pulo Shield, have raised concerns over an alleged encroachment on land allocated to them in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The veterans, beneficiaries of a welfare housing initiative coordinated through a Special Purpose Vehicle known as the Special Vehicle Plant (SVP) Trust Scheme, alleged that construction activities recently commenced on the land, which they say forms part of their approved housing project.
Speaking through their representative, retired Army officer Ayo Olufemi, the group called on relevant authorities to ensure that the dispute is handled strictly in line with the law. They emphasized that Nigeria remains a country governed by the rule of law under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the veterans, the disputed property is identified as Plot 2303 in Asokoro Cadastral Zone A04, an area that shares boundaries with land belonging to the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The group explained that the plot was allocated for the development of a veterans’ welfare housing scheme under the SVP Trust arrangement. Under the framework, the SVP coordinated site planning, subdivision of the land, allocation to individual beneficiaries, and processing of Right of Occupancy documentation through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
They noted that beneficiaries opened individual land application files with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and received official acknowledgements before land offer letters were issued in 2015.
According to the veterans, the project complied with all regulatory requirements, including approvals from relevant departments within the FCDA. They added that about ₦400 million was reportedly paid as statutory ground rent as requested by the FCTA.
However, the group alleged that officials linked to the Nigerian Army recently began construction activities on the plot, which they believe forms part of the land allocated for the veterans’ housing project.
In a petition addressed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the veterans called for urgent government intervention to prevent what they described as an attempted takeover of the land pending clarification of ownership and boundary issues.
The petitioners stated that the Nigerian Army had earlier been allocated a neighbouring parcel identified as Plot 2302, measuring approximately 248 hectares, from a larger expanse of land designated for military formations and barracks development in the Asokoro area.
They added that the land behind Mogadishu Cantonment had originally been earmarked primarily for barracks and accommodation for military personnel.
The veterans further explained that the allocation of Plot 2303 to their welfare scheme followed representations made to the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in recognition of the role played by Nigerian troops during the ECOMOG operations in Sierra Leone.
They maintained that beneficiaries of the scheme fulfilled statutory obligations, including the payment of ground rents and other administrative charges.
The group also alleged that attempts had been made by individuals linked to Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) and other parties to merge Plot 2303 with the adjoining Plot 2302 belonging to the Army.
According to them, a Memorandum of Understanding was later signed with developers for the construction of residential units described as “modern affordable homes,” with projected prices ranging between ₦81 million and ₦125 million.
The veterans claimed that construction activities on the disputed land reportedly began on December 24, 2025, adding that some infrastructure previously developed on the site — including access roads and other facilities built in line with FCDA approvals — may have been affected.
They also raised broader concerns about the management of military land allocations in the Asokoro area.
According to the petition, Plot 2302 was originally designated for additional barracks development, including a proposed Phase 2 expansion of the facility now known as Tinubu Barracks Phase 1.
However, the veterans alleged that portions of the land were subsequently transferred or sold to institutions, developers, and private individuals over time, contrary to the original land-use designation.
They further claimed that only a fraction of the approximately 248 hectares allocated to the Army has been developed for barracks infrastructure.
The petitioners also alleged that Nigerian Army Properties Limited has continued to transact on parts of the Army’s land allocation through arrangements involving developers and intermediaries.
The veterans argued that such developments may have contributed to boundary disputes involving neighbouring plots, including the land allocated for their housing scheme.
They therefore urged the FCT Minister to order an immediate review of activities on the disputed land and ensure that all actions comply with existing approvals and legal processes.
In addition, the group called for the establishment of an independent inquiry to examine allegations relating to the allocation and disposal of military land in the Asokoro area.
They also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate claims concerning the alleged diversion or sale of portions of the Army’s land.
Efforts to obtain official responses from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Army Properties Limited, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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