Soldiers take over Jonathan’s cousin’s firm

Soldiers on Saturday evening  took over  the premises of a company owned by a cousin of  former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert.

Soldiers on Saturday evening  took over  the premises of a company owned by a cousin of  former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert.

our correspondent, who visited the premises   along the Kubwa/Asokoro Expressway, Abuja, saw  the soldiers driving away workers of the company.

While some of the workers were at the gate of the company,  Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited,  others were inside   the  premises overlooking the Katampe hills. It was learnt that a general led the team of soldiers to take over the company

The company shares same boundary with Lungui Barracks of the Nigerian Army. It was learnt  that the use of blasting materials for construction by the firm close to the army barracks was regarded as security risk.

It was also learnt that the army was claiming ownership of the land.

Our correspondent gathered that the shutting of the premises was on the order of the army headquarters.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had charged Robert and his company, One-Plus, to court for allegedly collecting  a $40m   security contract from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

The EFCC has frozen  Kakatar accounts, forcing the firm to sack over 2000 workers recently.

When of our correspondent contacted the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, he directed the questions to the Assistant Director, Public Relations in charge of the Guards Brigade, Capt. Bashir Jajira.

Jajira in turn referred SUNDAY PUNCH to the officer in charge of Public Relations at the Army Headquarters Garrison.

He said that the Army Headquarters Garrison was in charge of the operation.

But a top officer of the Army who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said it was wrong for anybody to link the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to the operation.

He stated that there were military formations like the Guards Brigade who were entrusted with the responsibility of securing the area around the Presidential Villa and other parts of Abuja.

BY NIYI ODEBODE AND FIDELIS SORIWEI