On Tuesday, 7th May 2019, the youths of Gbagyi village, indigenous to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were seen protesting in Goza village, along the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway, leading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The protest was an outcry against the alleged seizing of land belonging to the community and the killing of some residents by the Nigerian Army. The Gbagyi people and the Army have had an altercation over the land in Tungan Maje area of the FCT for some time now. The convoy of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, who was heading to the airport was blocked by the agitated youths, forcing him to address the protesters. He assured them that their grievances will be addressed and a lasting solution found.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai reacted to the incident while speaking at the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of the Army Command Estate and Headquarters, Directorate of Army Legal Services at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment along the Abuja Airport road. He insisted that the land was legally acquired by the Nigerian Army and further explained that it was granted to the Army in 1979, after which the Service applied for re-certification of the said land when it was required to do so. Lt. Gen. Buratai advised anyone with grievances with regard to the land, to channel their complaints to the relevant authorities.