SPECIAL REPORT
Demolition Without Notice: Retired Army General’s Investment Razed in Abuja Raises Legal, Ethical and Civil–Military Concerns
The demolition of a recreation garden owned by a retired General of the Nigerian Army in Abuja has sparked serious questions about the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Development Control, humanitarian considerations in enforcement actions, and the implications for relations between the FCT Administration and the Nigerian military establishment.
The General, who served Nigeria honourably for 35 years, reportedly ran a modest hospitality outfit—an open-air garden serving food and drinks—when bulldozers arrived and leveled the entire premises. No formal notice, written warning, demolition order, or evacuation period was issued. His fridges, freezers, crockery, furniture, documents, and personal equipment were flattened, despite his plea to the Director of Development Control, Galadima, for 24 hours to retrieve his belongings. The request was refused.
This rigid approach appears unnecessarily punitive and has already triggered quiet resentment within military circles—not ideal at a time when civil–military cooperation is crucial.
▪︎. WHAT THE LAW SAYS — AND WHY IT MATTERS
□ The Constitution Protects Even Illegal Occupants
Even persons occupying land without legal approval still retain rights under the 1999 Constitution:
Section 36 (Right to Fair Hearing):
No person shall be deprived of his rights or property without being given an opportunity to be heard.
Demolition without notice violates this principle.
Section 34 (Right to Dignity):
Actions that humiliate, degrade, or treat a person with brutality—even in enforcement—can be interpreted as violations.
Section 44 (Compulsory Acquisition):
Government cannot deprive a person of property or economic investment without due process, notice, and in some cases compensation where legitimate expectation exists.
Even if the property was illegal, due notice must be served; the owner must be allowed to evacuate personal belongings.
□ FCT Urban and Regional Planning Regulations Require Notice
Under the Nigeria Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992) and the FCT Development Control Standards, authorities must issue:
Notice to Quit
Contravention Notice
Stop Work Order
Demolition Notice
Typically, occupants are given several days to weeks depending on the severity of violation. Abrupt demolition without these steps is a breach of administrative procedure.
□ Retired Military Officers Have Recognised Privileges
While not above the law, retired senior officers are recognised under:
Armed Forces Remuneration and Privileges Laws
Military Pensions Act
They are considered “deserving of honour befitting their service”.
At minimum, this demands respectful treatment, dignified communication, and humane enforcement—not bulldozers arriving without notice as if executing a vendetta.
▪︎. THE FCT MINISTER’S VISION — A LEGITIMATE REFORM AGENDA
It is important to note that the FCT Minister is pursuing an ambitious effort to reorganise Abuja into a properly structured, world-standard capital city. This includes:
Removing illegal structures
Reclaiming green areas
Restoring masterplan zones
Establishing properly licensed parks, recreation zones, and public gardens
These are valid developmental objectives. Free enterprise thrives best when order and planning exist. The Minister is constitutionally mandated, under Section 302, to manage FCT land on behalf of the President.
However, reforms must remain lawful, humane, and procedurally correct.
▪︎. THE HUMAN DIMENSION — THE GENERAL’S LOSS
A man who gave three and a half decades to national security deserves empathy. Losing his retirement investment without notice—alongside personal items, working tools, and business assets—is emotionally and financially devastating.
Even if the structure was not fully approved, nothing justified refusing him a single day to clear his belongings. Such harshness erodes trust and fuels unnecessary resentment.
▪︎ POTENTIAL CIVIL–MILITARY TENSIONS — AN AVOIDABLE RISK
Coming shortly before the Lt. Yerima–Wike confrontation, this demolition risks deepening a perception that FCT authorities are increasingly confrontational toward the Nigerian military community.
This is dangerous.
Military officers and FCT officials both serve the same country. Their roles differ, but their loyalty aligns. Administrative conflicts must not snowball into institutional bitterness.
▪︎ HOW OTHER COUNTRIES HANDLE SUCH CASES
United States / Canada (North America)
Illegal structures are demolished only after:
Formal notice
Posted warning on property
Opportunity to remove belongings
Grace period
Right to challenge decision
Humanitarian considerations trump bureaucratic speed.
UK / EU Countries (Europe)
Evictions and demolitions involve:
Multiple written notices
Social welfare consultation
Compensation or relocation options
Strict procedural fairness
Even illegal squatters have enforceable rights.
South Africa / Kenya (Africa)
Constitutional courts insist on:
Adequate notice
Dignified evacuation
Protection of personal property
Prohibition of night or surprise demolitions
UAE / Qatar (Asia/Middle East)
Highly planned cities still provide:
Warnings
Grace periods
Assistance to remove items
Structured enforcement
No country with a functional system destroys personal belongings without notice.
▪︎ HOW THE SITUATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED
Balanced Best Practice Approach:
▪︎ Issue a contravention notice.
▪︎ Provide time to evacuate equipment.
▪︎ Offer guidance on alternative compliant locations.
▪︎ Engage respectfully with the retired General.
▪︎ Ensure law enforcement supervises peacefully.
▪︎ Document all steps to avoid claims of vendetta.
This preserves legality, humanity, and government credibility.
▪︎ CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION
The demolition of the retired General’s business without notice violates both legal expectations and moral standards. While the FCT Minister’s goal to restore Abuja’s masterplan is commendable and necessary, enforcement must be lawful, humane, and procedurally fair.
Failure to do so risks:
Civil–military misunderstandings
Public resentment
Avoidable litigation
Perception of vendetta or selective enforcement
A senior citizen who served Nigeria for 35 years deserves better treatment—not immunity, but dignity.
Development Control must adopt a more humanitarian, lawful, and transparent approach going forward.
“Independent findings by HeadlineNews.News further revealed that the retired General lacked the required legal approvals for the hospitality garden and had repeatedly ignored formal notices served to him prior to the demolition.”
The military ought to advise their officers to ensure they do things legally to avoid embarrassment or loss.
Watch the video below:
The National Patriots Movement.
For full report, visit: www.headlinenews.news
“No nation treats its heroes this way. A retired General who served Nigeria for 35 years deserved notice—not a bulldozer. Development must follow the law and basic humanity. Even illegal occupants have rights under the Constitution, yet his property, equipment and personal belongings were crushed without warning. This is not enforcement; it is insensitivity. Abuja can be reorganised without humiliating those who sacrificed for the country. The FCT must correct this approach now, before administrative zeal becomes institutional hostility. Patriotism demands fairness, dignity and due process—for every Nigerian.” – The National Patriots.
The demolition of a retired General’s recreation garden in Abuja without notice has raised serious concerns about due process, fairness, and humane governance. Development Control reportedly crushed the 35-year veteran’s fridges, freezers, documents and furniture after refusing his appeal for just one day to evacuate his belongings. Even illegal occupants are entitled to fair hearing and dignity under Sections 36 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution, while urban planning laws require proper notices before demolition. The FCT Minister’s vision to restore Abuja is commendable, but enforcement must remain lawful and humane, not punitive. Treating a man who served Nigeria dutifully with such disregard risks unnecessary civil–military tension. Development must never override basic justice and respect.
Dr. Imran Khazaly.
The National Patriots Movement.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
