The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has ordered the Nigerian Army to halt the ongoing demolition of houses in Tungamaje, a community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, pending the review of a petition submitted by affected residents.
The intervention followed complaints from community members who alleged that the demolitions were being carried out without due process. According to sources, the matter was initially scheduled for a hearing on December 8, 2025, but the Nigerian Army requested additional time to gather and study relevant documents.
Lawmakers subsequently directed the Army to suspend all demolition and related activities in the affected areas while the petition is under consideration. As of the time of reporting, demolitions had reportedly been stopped, with a fresh hearing fixed for January 28, 2026.
Residents of Tungamaje have been raising concerns over the demolitions since October 2025, when soldiers reportedly ordered them to vacate their homes, triggering fear and uncertainty within the community. In April 2025, parts of a workshop and training centre in the area were demolished, further heightening tensions.
Community members accused the Army of repeatedly carrying out demolitions, sometimes in the early hours of the day, leaving families displaced and homeless. Some residents claimed the actions had taken a severe emotional toll, with reports that a few affected persons died after losing hope due to the situation.
Tungamaje, which consists of about 24 communities, is largely agrarian, and residents also alleged that the Army had taken over farmlands, depriving them of their livelihoods. They claimed that in some cases, their farmlands were leased out to third parties without consent.
Despite appeals to several government authorities, including the Vice President and the FCT Minister, residents said no lasting intervention had been achieved before the House of Representatives stepped in.
The committee is expected to engage all parties involved during the hearing as lawmakers consider the petition and determine the next steps aimed at resolving the dispute and preventing further displacement of residents.
