70-Year-Old Security Guard drags Police, others to Court, Alleges Shielding of Armed Land-Grabbing Suspects in Abuja
A 70-year-old security guard, Atoki Benson Olaniyi, has filed a fundamental rights suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing the police of allegedly shielding Peter David, popularly known as “Sarkin Fili,” his wife and their alleged armed associates despite complaints of assault, intimidation and land-related disputes in Mpape, Abuja.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2250/2026, Olaniyi alleges that police authorities recovered unlicensed firearms, machetes and military uniforms during an investigation involving the respondents but subsequently released the suspects alongside the recovered exhibits.
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He further alleges that instead of protecting him as a complainant, the police later arrested and detained him. Joined as respondents are Peter David and his wife, Inspector Bisong, CSP Mustapha Isah, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police overseeing Zone 7 and the Inspector-General of Police. Olaniyi is seeking ₦100 million in damages as well as protection against further harassment and unlawful detention.
According to paragraphs 20–35 of his affidavit, more than 15 alleged victims made statements at the FCT Police Command concerning the alleged activities of the respondents and their associates. Olaniyi alleges that despite the complaints, the investigation failed to prevent further attacks. The affidavit states: “That instead of prosecuting the 1st and 2nd Respondents and other arrested militants for their atrocities, the Commissioner of police (MMU) is alleged to have compromised the case to let them back to the society with the recovered exhibits to continue their usual business of maiming and intimidation of innocent residents.”
Olaniyi further alleges that the couple controls about 50 armed men who occupy disputed land through threats and violence, and that he was attacked on June 24, 2026, after cautioning members of the group against firing guns in the neighbourhood.
He alleges that he was beaten with guns and machetes before a passing Guards Brigade patrol intervened and arrested some of the alleged attackers. He acknowledges that the police subsequently prosecuted the alleged assault before the Mpape Magistrates’ Court, where the case is still pending. However, he alleges that the threats continued and that he was later detained by police from September 4 to 7, 2026, following a counter-complaint by the couple accusing him of giving false information, pretending to be injured and instigating the demolition of their property by FCT Development Control.
Olaniyi denies the allegations and questions his detention over matters connected with an assault case already before the Magistrates’ Court.
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