In a startling turn of events, a man identified as Hamzat has come forward with a harrowing account of an alleged incursion by suspected soldiers into his block factory situated within the precincts of Bankole Estate, Magboro, in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The incident, which unfolded recently, saw the soldiers apprehending Hamzat and confiscating his Toyota RAV4 vehicle.

Narrating his ordeal to PUNCH Metro, Hamzat disclosed that the intrusion involved a group of soldiers, numbering up to five, who arrived in a pick-up van. Their ostensible motive was to locate his younger brother, Sulaimon, who happens to be an Islamic cleric.

The genesis of this perplexing situation, according to Hamzat, can be traced back to his introduction of a yet-to-be-identified individual, purportedly a Yahoo boy and the brother of his girlfriend, to Sulaimon for specialized prayers. Subsequently, following the apparent success of these prayers, Hamzat’s girlfriend’s brother sought further spiritual assistance. Sulaimon then directed him to another unnamed Islamic cleric in the Agege area of Lagos.

Hamzat provided additional insight, stating, “After my brother introduced him to another Alfa for special prayer, maybe he was duped (or he didn’t get the expected returns after payment), I don’t know. My brother also said he did not know what transpired between the boy and the other Alfa.”

The unexpected encounter with the soldiers unfolded on a Tuesday when Hamzat received a call informing him that potential customers were interested in purchasing blocks from his factory. Without hesitation, he rushed to the scene, only to be confronted by the soldiers who insisted on speaking with him. As Hamzat attempted to discern the reason for their presence, he found himself subjected to a forceful apprehension.

Hamzat recounted, “When I looked into their car, I saw the guy I introduced to my brother and his sister, who is my girlfriend. Then the soldiers said I should follow them. They said they would drive my car with them, but I refused, I said I couldn’t give them my car key but I would drive along with them since I did not steal or commit any crime.”

This ordeal culminated in Hamzat’s escort to the Ebute barracks, where he alleges that the soldiers demanded a sum of N10,000 from him and impounded his vehicle, pending his ability to produce his brother.

Persistently hounded by one of the soldiers via phone, Hamzat’s distressing situation remains unresolved. Our correspondent reached out to the number purportedly linked to the soldier in question, and, intriguingly, the recipient directed them to the Army base at Arepo.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Ayeni Olabisi, assured that an investigation into the matter would be initiated.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, stated that the case is currently under investigation, offering no further details at this juncture. The situation remains fluid, with Hamzat and his family anxiously awaiting answers to this perplexing episode.