Lawyer Petitions Army Chief Over Alleged Assault, Property Destruction in Nasarawa

…Firm seeks probe of three officers accused of beating estate manager, threatening to shoot him over land dispute

A legal practitioner has petitioned the Chief of Army Staff over the alleged assault of an estate manager, Mohammed Ibrahim, and destruction of property at a construction site in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State by three military personnel.

The petition, dated September 28, 2026, was written by B. C. Yerima, counsel to Ibrahim, through K.J. Ntafa & Co., Law and Equity Chambers, and addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, through the Department of Civil-Military Affairs at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja.

In the petition, titled *“Report of Brutal Assault, Intimidation on Mohammed Ibrahim, Co-workers, Property Mischief and Disruption of Public Peace,”* the lawyer alleged that the incident occurred on September 26, 2026, at Unique Solar Garden Estate, behind the former Royal Noodles, Rugan Madaki, off City College of Education Road, Karu.

According to the petition, Ibrahim, who manages the estate for its principal, Dr Henry Obi, was at the construction site with other workers when three men allegedly arrived at about 9:30 a.m., two dressed in military uniforms and armed with rifles, while the third was in civilian clothing.

The lawyer alleged that the men began demolishing parts of the building under construction, prompting a security operative at the site to alert Ibrahim, who subsequently arrived and attempted to engage them.

The petition stated that Ibrahim began recording the alleged destruction after his attempts to speak with the men were ignored.

However, the lawyer alleged that the men descended on his client after noticing that he was recording the incident, beating him with rifle butts and pieces of concrete blocks.

The petition further alleged that other workers and security personnel who attempted to intervene were also assaulted and threatened with firearms, forcing them to flee.

According to Yerima, Ibrahim fell to the ground during the alleged assault, while one of the armed men reportedly pointed a cocked rifle at his head and threatened to kill him.

The lawyer said one of the workers who escaped contacted personnel of the Vintage Police Division, who were subsequently dispatched to the scene.

He alleged that the police officers encountered resistance and threats from the armed men before eventually rescuing Ibrahim and arranging for him to receive medical attention.

The petition stated that Ibrahim was taken to Kunkyam Hospital, located at No. 3 Hope Jone Street, Royal Noodles, Karu, where he was referred for an X-ray and general medical examination.

Yerima further alleged that the men were deployed to the residence of retired Major General John Nwaogu in the Shebwokpma Community, City College area of Karu Local Government Area.

The lawyer said his client maintained that construction had been ongoing on the property for months without obstruction and that, to his knowledge, there was no pending court case or formal adverse claim over the land before the alleged incident.

Describing the alleged conduct as unlawful and intimidating, the lawyer argued that any dispute over land ownership should be resolved through established legal procedures rather than self-help or the use of force.

He also warned that the alleged misuse of military uniforms and firearms to intimidate civilians could undermine public confidence in the Nigerian Army and its institutional integrity.

Yerima said his client preferred an internal investigation and appropriate action rather than taking the matter to the media, citing the respect he had for the military institution.

He consequently urged the Chief of Army Staff to invite the parties involved, conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged assault and property destruction, and take appropriate action based on the findings.

The lawyer added that his client and his legal representatives would be available to provide statements and participate in any investigation.

At the time of filing this report the Nigerian Army is yet to respond to the petition.