- Safiu Kehinde
Residents of KYC Estate, Sabo Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have cried out over assault and threat to life by suspected Fulani hoodlums allegedly sponsored by the estate developer, Michael Ayuba Auta.
The residents who narrated their ordeal to Nigerian activist and social media influencer, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, disclosed how the developer recently hired Fulani hoodlums to prevent them from going outside.
As captured in a video clip shared on VDM’s X handle, the hoodlums armed with swords and other weapons barricaded the estate gate having injured a uniformed soldier securing the estate.
Recounting their ordeal, the Resident Chairman of the estate, Kolawole Idiaro, recalled how he had acquired a property within the estate.
He however disclosed that the developer, Auta, had since been demanding for more money from the residents with no development.
Idiaro alleged that Auta usually hire the hoodlums to hold them hostage whenever they refuse to pay the money he demanded.
He also recounted several efforts to seek Police and government interventions which had all proven futile as no action was taken against him due to his influence.
“In 2020, I saw an advert of this estate with a beautiful plan and I subscribed. I paid over N7 million to have my property in this estate.
“Fast-forward to now, whatever we have paid for, this developer will not do. He will keep coming back to ask for more money. If we don’t give him, the next thing we will see is Fulani men attacking us.
“And in doing that, the Policemen at the gate will comfortably excuse themselves. At a point he disconnected is from the light. We took him to NERC and AEDC. They couldn’t do anything. It’s as if this guy has power than anybody in this country.
“We don’t even understand anymore. Military could not do anything. AEDC could not do anything, NERC could not do anything. The Nigerian Police keep aiding this guy.” He said.
One of the residents whose name was not disclosed also recounted how some of the Fulani hoodlums attacked him at his apartment with knives.
“It happened at 10pm on Wednesday four weeks ago. I believe they have been observing me from one of the uncompleted buildings behind.
“I came out as at that time which is my normal time to come out and put off my generator.
“By the time I turned on the kitchen light to open the door, two of them were standing right in front of me with drawn knives and they attacked me. I had to defend myself.
“I have been traumatized since then because of lack of security in the estate. We paid for security levy.” He said.
Coupled with the payment of security levy, VDM noted that the residents also paid for the installation of the estate gate which remains undone for over five years with the developer still coming back to collect money for the gate.
The activist also disclosed how a policeman attached to the developer fired a shot in the air to threaten the residents who challenged him over the payment of the gate installation.
Condemning the act, VDM assured that the case will be taken to the FCT Commissioner of Police,
“If you noticed behind me, according to the residents, they’ve paid for the gate to be done and that for over five years now, the gate has not been done. And he will still come back to still want to collect money from the gate. And if they complain, next thing Fulani attack.
“He (the Chairman) even said that one day, they were arguing with him, telling him that we have paid for this plan. Why are you not doing it? The next thing, the Policeman that was beside him shot in the air so that everybody around him will leave him alone.
“That is abuse of power and influence. I don’t know who he knows in the police. I don’t know who he knows in the government but what he did is very wrong.
“Like I said, we get law for Nigeria. Nobody is above the law.
“We will take this matter to the Commissioner of Police.” He said.
Meanwhile, VDM raised suspicion over the developer’s ability to quickly mobilize Fulani men, stressing that he should be brought in for alleged terrorism funding.
“Lastly, I have a problem and problem is that if this man can called Fulani men at speed anytime to come and attack, only God knows the people who are in charge of the insecurity in Nigeria.
“For you to get Fulani men wet you dey call, that means nobody dey safe for the country.
“They need to even bring you in for terrorism first. They need to bring you in for terrorism let’s know what you are funding.” VDM said.
The residents chairman also disclosed the developer’s latest threat to mobilize more Fulani men to come and attack them on the 16th of June.