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According to eyewitnesses who spoke with SaharaReporters, over 80 armed soldiers stormed the community around 7pm on Friday and began demolishing structures—including a school, a mosque, and several residential buildings.
Residents of Anguwa Mallam Auta in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State have accused the Commandant of the Jaji Military Cantonment, Major General Usman Abdulmumin Yusuf, of ordering a brutal demolition operation that displaced scores of families, including elderly people and children.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke with SaharaReporters, over 80 armed soldiers stormed the community around 7pm on Friday and began demolishing structures—including a school, a mosque, and several residential buildings.
The operation reportedly lasted until 10pm, leaving the community in disarray and many residents stranded in the cold night.
In a disturbing video obtained by SaharaReporters, two octogenarians appeared visibly weak and disoriented as they were being fed by concerned residents.
Witnesses say many displaced people, particularly the elderly and children, are now struggling to survive without shelter, food, or medical care.
“They demolished everything — our homes, our shops, our food. It’s like we are no longer Nigerians. We’ve done nothing wrong, we’re just poor law-abiding citizens,” a community member lamented.
The source added that despite repeated efforts to reach out to the Kaduna State government — including the governor, commissioner, and elected representatives—no official has responded or visited the community.
“The commandant is acting with complete impunity. What he has done is even worse than what terrorists do. He has brought untold suffering to our people,” another resident told SaharaReporters.
The residents are now calling on both the federal and state governments to intervene urgently and investigate the military’s actions.
“We are begging for justice. Some of our elders may not survive this trauma. We need help — this cannot be the Nigeria we believe in,” one of the victims appealed.
One of the community leaders, who did not want his name mentioned, told SaharaReporters that he was beaten to a stupor when he approached the soldiers to ask questions.
He said several letters had been sent to the Commissioner of Police, the Government House, and even to the senators. All their political leaders were aware of the situation, but unfortunately, there had been no meaningful intervention so far.
According to the community leader, "Actually, yesterday (Friday) at around 7:00 PM, a group of soldiers stormed into Anguwan Mallam Auta without any prior notice. They didn’t inform anyone or consult with any community leader. They began demolishing structures, starting from a school, then moving on to residential houses, accommodations, and even our mosque.
"They continued until around 10:00 PM. People were crying and running in panic as the soldiers entered homes. We were all shouting for help. As I speak to you now, I was beaten by the soldiers. If you tried to approach any of them, they wouldn't listen — they would just chase you away.
"They destroyed the house and looted whatever they wanted. After they were done, they didn’t inform anyone—they just returned to the barracks.
"I cannot give the exact number of houses affected right now, but from what I can see, it's more than 20. When they stormed in, I was actually the only person who approached them. I was beaten, and they also attacked the elderly. Many people have sustained injuries. We are currently in the hospital due to the trauma and tension caused by the incident.
"Several letters have been sent to the Commissioner of Police, the Government House, and even to the senators. All our political leaders are aware of what is going on. Unfortunately, there has been no meaningful intervention so far."
He stated, "What I want is for everyone to be aware of what is going on. Many pictures and videos have shown what happened during the demolition, and this is not the first time it has happened. We experienced a similar incident just last month, on June 18, 2025.
"It started like a joke. Three houses were demolished, including some uncompleted buildings. But yesterday, without any notice, these people stormed Anguwan Mallam again. There was no prior warning.
"What I want our leaders to do—if they are truly listening to us, and if we are truly citizens of this country who obey the law—is to intervene immediately. We are law-abiding Nigerians, and we deserve protection.
"Today, we have made up our minds. Since they are acting like they want to kill us, we have decided to protest. Peaceful protest is our right—it is guaranteed under the law.
"For over eight years, we have been in court over this matter. But instead of waiting for the court’s verdict, these people have returned to Angowa Mallam and resumed demolition without any legal backing."
The community leader said, after all, while the court has ordered everyone to maintain the status quo and remain in their positions, they have ignored the law and the court's ruling.
He said the Nigerian soldiers have violated everything, storming in every day as if the community belongs to them—claiming ownership without presenting any evidence.
"Not a single piece of evidence has been submitted by them in court. Meanwhile, we have provided all the necessary documents and submitted everything required. Since they have no valid claim, they resorted to this forceful action, trying to push us out."
Meanwhile, in a letter written by the Labar Wusono Community Development Association dated 11th July 2025 and addressed to Senator Lawal Adamu Usman (Mr. LA), representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, the community raised serious allegations.
In the document signed by the Chairman, Yusuf Saminu, and released by the Secretary, Rufai Kabiru Dikko, titled Request for Intervention on Fundamental Human Rights and Property Violations of the Above Community by Major General Usman Abdulmumin Yusuf of the Infantry Corps Centre (ICC) in Jaji, the association outlined several grievances.
The Labar Wusono Community Development Association alleged that the cantonment authorities had shut down all local markets and stopped all business activities, including those operated by women selling akara, vegetables, and running corn-grinding shops.
They further explained that the cantonment had demolished 33 residential houses within the community and disconnected their electricity supply for over six weeks, plunging more than 3,000 homes into total darkness.
This blackout, they claimed, has caused significant business losses despite the community's consistent payment of electricity dues.
However, the community alleged that the cantonment had blocked access roads to several parts of the area and was extorting residents by charging N1,000 per person every six months to access their own homes — affecting more than 26,600 people.
The letter also reported incidents of illegal arrests and detention of community members.
The statement read, "Recall the long existing land dispute between our communities namely LABAR and WUSONO and the Jaji Military cantonment which is as far back as 20 years which is eventually entered in court in 2018. The case has since being court with several court ORDERS released ordering the cantonment to stop any form of harassment and land development in the area. But the COURT ORDERS were not adhered to by the cantonment.
"Below are the key points highlighting the current challenges faced by our community from the cantonment; The cantonment builds a fence covering almost 4,000ha of farm land belonging to our community out of which almost 58ha belongs to them 2022.
"The cantonment is currently displacing our people from their farm lands and leasing it to their soldiers at an unknown rate (its worth noting that these farm lands have already being cultivated by our community members).
"The cantonment has closed all local markets and stopped all business activities including women selling Accara and vegetables, corn grindings shops.
"The cantonment has demolished 33 residential houses in our community," they said.
According to the community association, "The cantonment has disconnected our community's electricity supply for over 6wks now, subjecting more than 3,000 homes into total darkness and loss in business associated to electric power, despite the fact we paid our electric dues.
"The cantonment has blocked access road to some of our communities.
"The cantonment is extorting our community N1,000/person every six month to access their homes (more than 26,600 people), Illegal arrest and detention of our community members.
"Life has become so unbearable that feeding our families is being threatened. As such, we are soliciting your immediate intervention," they added.
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