Soldiers on Saturday seized the premises used by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert, as construction site for the provision of engineering infrastructure for Maitama Extension District in Abuja.
Our correspondent, who visited the premises, which shares the same boundary with the Lungui Barracks of the Nigerian Army along the Kubwa/Asokoro Expressway, found that the soldiers drove away all the workers from the site as soon as they stormed the massive premises around 8pm on Friday.
A few of the soldiers manned the entrance to the massive construction site being used by Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited, while the others kept vigil inside the massive premises overlooking Katampe hills.
“We are on order from the Chief of Army Staff to take over this place and not to allow anyone in or out of the premises,” a junior soldier mounting sentry at the first gate warned our correspondent, who attempted to penetrate the compound.
“It was one of our Generals, who led the team of soldiers to take over this place, but we do not know the reason for our being here,” the soldier, said but refused to give his name.
As a result of the invasion of the premises of the construction firm, workers who reported for their daily routine, were chased away from the site by fierce-looking armed military men, who said they were under strict instruction to bar anyone from entering the place.
The strange development comes a few weeks after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had charged Robert and his company, One-Plus, to court for allegedly receiving a $40 million security contract from the office of the former National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
Robert and his company were granted bail by a Federal High Court after the charges were read to them, but it is not clear why the army has swooped on his construction premises approved for him by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to use as a base for the coordination of the provision of services for the owners of plots at the Maitama Extension District.
The residence of the President of the Senate and other principal officers of the National Assembly as well as very prominent Nigerians are on the same plot of land invaded by the soldiers.
The land was allocated by the Federal Capital Development Authority.
Although the Nigerian Army is yet to give official explanation for the takeover of the firm, our correspondent learnt from a top officer that the Army was laying claim of ownership to the premises being used by the former President’s cousin, which borders with its Lungui Barracks.
The officer said the Army was uncomfortable with the presence of the company near its barracks, describing it as a breach of security.
It was also gathered that the use of blasting materials for construction by the firm close to the army barracks was offensive to the army authorities but they could not voice their aversion to the development while Jonathan was the President and Commander-in-Chief.
“It is true the army authorities deployed soldiers to close the place last night and prevented workers from entering the premises today,” the army officer said.
One of the site workers, Maxwell Udom, told our correspondent that no site worker was allowed to cross the site gate by the armed military men, stressing that no prior notice was served before their action.
Udom said: “We closed from work yesterday peacefully.
“We came to work on Saturday to continue with our previous job only to see that the site had been invaded by armed military men.
“Their leader has refused to explain what brought them here.
“He only warned us not to come close to the gate in our interest.
“We have no option than to obey the order.
“As I speak, we are confused on what led to this action.”
Austin Ekeinde, Kakatar’s spokesman, confirmed the army invasion of the premises, saying that the beleaguered workers had been directed to return home to
avoid any confrontation with the armed soldiers.
Ekeinde said: “I can confirm to you that armed military men have suddenly taken over our site in Maitama and we have asked our workers to go back to their respective homes till further notice, while we try to get clarification from the military on their provocative action.
“This action has led to huge losses as even asphalt we cooked overnight for laying this morning has been allowed to cake and waste.”
Robert, the Managing Director of Kakatar, has been having a running battle with EFCC over one of his companies, Oneplus Holdings.
This has led to EFCC freezing Kakatar’s accounts, forcing the firm to sack over 2,000 workers recently.
The EFCC action has stalled ongoing capital projects in the Federal Capital Territory being handled by Kakatar.
It is however not certain if this present military invasion of the company’s premises has to do with his running battles with government, for which persecution has been alleged.
All efforts to get the reaction of the military proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
