By Desire Emmanuel
A former pilot and senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun (retd), is currently in a state of confusion after his building was demolished by officials of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCTDA) in the Wuse area of Abuja.
Air Commodore Balogun was known for his exceptional service and bravery, particularly during the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where he flew into danger without hesitation, earning him recognition and respect in the countries.
He served in the Air Force at various positions before he retired after attaining the mandatory 35 years in service.
After his retirement, he was said to have completed his duplex at the Wuse area and was living there peacefully until officials of the FCTDA came and rolled its bulldozer, saying the land on which he built the house was not approved for residential purpose.
Sources close to Air Commodore Balogun told Impact Nigeria News Online that despite all efforts by the retired officers to show the officials of the authority all his approved documents and other things to prove the legality of the building, the officials remained adamant and demolished the house.
It will be recalled that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had an altercation with a naval officer this week when officials of the FCTDA wanted to demolished the structures on the land belonging to the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.
The naval officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, stood his ground and prevented Wike and his men from having access to the land, saying he was there based on order from above.
