Lokogoma Estate Residents Decry Violent Invasion, Appeal for Justice

Residents of God’s Own Estate along Lokogoma Road in Abuja are crying out for help after what they described as a terrifying invasion of their homes by court officials, armed policemen, and suspected thugs.

On Wednesday, their quiet community was thrown into chaos at dawn when more than 300 armed officers, flanked by court workers and hoodlums, stormed the estate.

In scenes many described as traumatic, gates were pulled down, doors forced open, and personal belongings tossed into the streets. Some residents allege that valuables like electronics and others were taken in the process.

A resident, who begged not to be named for fear of reprisal, recounted the ordeal with trembling words:

“They came with about 10 trucks of policemen, thugs, touts, and street urchins. They started breaking into houses. Most of us bought these properties legitimately. There is even an orphanage here.

“We are not saying whoever has a court judgment should not enjoy it, but things should be properly done. Many of us are retirees, and this action has destroyed the peace and serenity of our community.”

For many, the attack was not only shocking but humiliating. One resident said nearly the entire estate was devastated: “Up to 80 percent of house owners were caught unawares. Their properties were thrown out; some people were even ejected while having their bath.”

With voices heavy with fear and anger, the homeowners stressed that they were not against the law, but against lawlessness.

They insisted that while court rulings must be respected, enforcement should never come at the cost of human dignity or basic due process.

They are now pleading with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene before the situation escalates further.

Their plea comes against the backdrop of the IGP’s own warning at a recent public event, where he had cautioned officers against being used as pawns in land disputes and illegal evictions.

“Officers have no business escorting parties for land recovery, disrupting legally existing occupations, or meddling in civil claims without a demonstrable criminal record element. Every such incident erodes the neutrality of the force and opens us to disrepute,” Egbetokun had said.

He further warned that any officer found flouting the directive would face disciplinary action, noting that the credibility of the police “rests not only on our crime-fighting capacity, but also on the ethical culture we enforce from the top.”

For now, the residents of God’s Own Estate remain gripped by fear, their once serene neighborhood scarred by the memory of an invasion they say has left them feeling vulnerable, dispossessed, and unheard.