House Of Reps Summons Nigerian Army, FCTA Over Illegal Demolition In Abuja Community | Sahara Reporters

The latest summons comes amid renewed demolitions carried out in Tungamaje, with residents expressing fears that more houses could be destroyed.

The House of Representatives Public Petitions Committee has again summoned the Nigerian Military and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to appear before it on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, over the continued demolition of houses in the Tungamaje area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The meeting is expected to bring together representatives of the military, the FCTA and communities affected by the demolition exercises as lawmakers seek to address the prolonged dispute over land ownership, eviction and the destruction of residential buildings in the area.

According to sources familiar with the development, the Federal Capital Territory Director of Lands is expected to represent the FCTA at the hearing.

The committee had earlier scheduled a meeting for September 3, but the meeting could not hold following the absence of the Director of Lands from the FCTA.

“Wednesday, September 16, 2026, has been scheduled for the meeting and the committee has again extended an invitation to the military, FCTA and communities affected by the continual demolition exercises,” a source familiar with the developments told SaharaReporters.

The latest summons comes amid renewed demolitions carried out in Tungamaje, with residents expressing fears that more houses could be destroyed.

In August, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian Army carried out fresh demolitions in Tungamaje, destroying more than 10 houses and warning indigenes against constructing new houses or carrying out further development on their properties.

The demolitions were reportedly carried out on Thursday, August 20, 2026, leaving residents distressed and confused.

Sources in the area, who asked not to be named, said the latest action by the Army had heightened concerns among residents, particularly homeowners whose properties had been marked for demolition.

“The Nigerian Army came on Thursday, they demolished houses and threatened residents who are indigenes against building on their lands, they also said they would be back to carry out more demolitions.”

Several other houses have reportedly been marked for demolition, further increasing uncertainty among residents over the future of their homes and properties.

“Many houses have been marked by the Nigerian Army and this has caused confusion. Many residents do not even know what to do, they have nowhere to go and yet their situation does not seem like improving.”

The latest demolition exercise reportedly created tension in the community, with affected residents left uncertain about whether further demolitions would take place.

The development came barely days after residents of Angwa Dio and Angwa Shibaba areas of Tungamaje were ordered to vacate their homes following a directive reportedly issued by the Nigerian Army.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that residents were given until Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to leave the affected areas after several houses were marked for demolition.

The residents were initially ordered to vacate their homes by Saturday, August 8. However, an intervention by stakeholders reportedly resulted in a five-day extension.

A community source had told SaharaReporters that more than 30 houses were earmarked for demolition across the two communities, with residents asked to vacate the areas entirely.

“The Nigerian Army have now taken unprecedented steps. They gave quit notice to people asking them to leave and when community members pleaded,they were told the order was from above and nothing could be done about it,” the community source told SaharaReporters.

The eviction threats left many homeowners stranded and uncertain about where they would relocate if the demolitions continued.

“Many of those who have been asked to leave the communities are not even sure of where to go, already there is panic as the Nigerian Army have vowed to come heavily to ensure demolition of the houses after the expiration of the grace period given,” a resident told SaharaReporters.

The dispute between residents of Tungamaje and the Nigerian Army is not new and has continued for months, with disagreements reportedly centred on land ownership and access to farmlands in the area.

In May 2026, SaharaReporters reported that residents of Tungamaje had raised the alarm over what they described as the forceful eviction of residents from their ancestral lands by personnel of the Nigerian Army.

With more houses reportedly still marked for demolition, residents are now looking to the House of Representatives hearing for possible intervention.

The September 16 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the affected communities, the military and the FCTA to present their positions before the lawmakers and potentially seek a resolution to the dispute.

For residents facing the prospect of losing their homes, the hearing comes amid renewed uncertainty over their properties and where they would relocate should further demolition exercises proceed.