No fewer than ten suspected thugs invaded a property belonging to The Nation newspaper in Abuja on Thursday, attempting to claim ownership of the land.
The swift intervention of the police prevented a potential clash between the intruders and staff of The Nation at the site, located beside the newspaper’s printing press along Airport Road, Lugbe.
According to Samson Oyederan, Regional Manager (North) of The Nation, the invaders, led by two unidentified individuals, claimed the land was purchased by one Alhaji Aminu in 2012.
To prevent further escalation, Oyederan alerted the Trademore Divisional Police Station in Lugbe.
Both parties were questioned, and after providing statements, the police released the two alleged ringleaders on bail, instructing them and The Nation staff to report to the station at 10 a.m. on Friday.
He urged the police to take necessary action to prevent any further threats or attacks in the area.
Oyederan explained: “We woke up this morning and discovered that some people were trying to enter this plot of land.
“I was informed by one of our security men and I instructed that they should not allow anybody to drop any sand or allow any vehicle into the premises. So, they brought another truck and at that point, they did not allow them.
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“So, after that time, we were all here when a pickup van came with some workers and they were trying to force their way into the land. I actually shouted at them that nobody would gain access to the land.
“Unfortunately, they reinforced themselves and at some point, they were almost becoming violent. So, I left them. I informed the head office about the incident and I was asked to report to the DPO in Lugbe police station.
“The DPO sent some officers. They invited two people that led the people over to the station and I was also invited with two other staff to come along.
“Two of them were representing one Alhaji Aminu who is laying claim to the land. They said Alhaji bought the land in 2012. They claimed that everything they did was on the instruction of the said Alhaji.
“The police on getting to the station asked us to write a statement. I did and one of them also wrote on behalf of the said Alhaji. What I know about this place was documented in the statement.
“The resolution as of now is that the police said they were going to release those guys on bail and that by tomorrow (Friday), everybody should report to the police station. They were told that they should stay clear of the land for now and that they must come with the said Alhaji on Friday, and also bring the original document of the land.
“The DPO said the document should be used when it comes to landed property issues. They made some reckless statements that people who are doing their business in front of the land are not safe.
“I think the needful should be done to avoid security threats. We do not want this to degenerate”.
Some police officers are presently on the ground to avert a breakdown of law and order.