Chaos erupted in Pegi community, Kuje Area Council of the FCT, after a heated confrontation between a landlord and his tenant over unpaid house rent turned physical.
The incident, which took place last Thursday around 9:33 pm, left residents shocked as Musa Alhassan, a commercial driver, allegedly attacked his landlord, Samson Bako, following a dispute over his outstanding rent.
How the Dispute Started
According to a local resident, Ishaku Ayuba, the trouble began when Alhassan, who had been living in the compound for three years, refused to pay his rent for over a year despite multiple reminders from the landlord’s son, who was in charge of rent collection. Frustrated by the tenant’s refusal to settle his dues, the landlord took matters into his own hands and decided to lock up the tenant’s room while he was away at work.
Upon returning from his daily hustle, Alhassan was shocked to find his room padlocked. After learning from neighbors that his landlord was responsible, he stormed towards the landlord’s son, ready to unleash his fury. Just as he attempted to slap the young man, the landlord himself intervened, leading to a heated argument that quickly spiraled out of control. Witnesses described the scene as a full-blown scuffle, with Alhassan allegedly physically assaulting Bako in a fit of rage.
Intervention by Security Personnel
Concerned residents quickly alerted local vigilantes, who arrived at the scene to diffuse the situation before it escalated further. The tenant was immediately subdued and handed over to security personnel in the area. One of the vigilantes, identified simply as Joshua, confirmed that the matter was no longer in their hands as law enforcement had taken over.
Efforts to reach the spokeswoman of the FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh, for comments were unsuccessful, as she neither picked up calls nor responded to messages regarding the incident.
Community Reactions
Meanwhile, residents of the area continue to express mixed reactions, with some supporting the landlord’s actions while others argue that he should have sought a legal means to evict the tenant rather than taking drastic measures.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by landlords and tenants in Nigeria’s rental market, emphasizing the need for clearer legal frameworks and proper dispute resolution mechanisms.
