A Major in the Nigerian Military, Ahmed Dirisu, has reportedly brutalised some civilians who deals in cars in the quest to regain his funds over failed business

The officer, it was gathered, impounded two vehicles (a Toyota Camry 2003 and 2005) and some valuable items to the Military Cantonment in Ojo, a surburb of Lagos State.

The incident happened at Mebamu Vehicle Dealers Market in Ojo, where Major Dirisu allegedly dislodged the traders, carted away two fairly used Toyota Camry cars, including vehicle keys and took them to Ojo Barracks.

Saharaweekly correspondent learnt that after seizing those items, the dealers, Ephraim Uzezi, Larry Kelechi, Rukeme George and customers who were there to purchase a car were not spared as the Major reportedly assaulted and detained them for hours in their barracks.

It was also gathered that since the incident took place on 18th January, 2021, the victims were said to have made every effort to recover the vehicles but to no avail.

The victims, who said their lives were being threatened and went into hiding, therefore called on the authorities to wade into the matter before it degenerates further, and save them.

According to investigation, Major Dirisu took the decision over a failed business between him and his classmate, Mr Festus Omuokor, who is said to be a car dealer in the market, for not remitting the money of transaction worth N1.5million.

Omuokor claimed he was a dealer in the market, but unfornately he was just a salesperson who sought buyers for the car owners.

Following the refusal of the Military authority to order the release of the seized cars and other items, the owners have written a petition to the AIG Zone 2 Onikan, Lagos, seeking his intervention to prevail on Major Dirisu to release the items.

In a petition dated 25th January, to the AIG through the Chambers of Lawsuits & Action, located at Ajao Estate, signed by Barrister D. M. Anyama, they asked for the AIG to intervene in the matter.

The petition stated that the clients’ vehicles parked at Adeola Street, Signboard Bus-stop, Kilometre 22, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, were impounded by a group of soldiers on the directive of Major Dirisu of the Army Military Cantonment. And they unlawfully seized the vehicles including car keys belonging to other vehicles displayed for sale.

It stated that the clients revealed that Major Dirisu had a business transaction with one Festus Omuokor and the deal went bad and Dirisu could not recover his money from him. It further stated that Omuokor does not own any of the seized vehicles and keys to other vehicles seized by Major Dirisu, nor does the employees to the clients involved.

It noted that the impounded vehicles and items do not belong to the clients but were in their care for sales by the owners, who are now terrorizing them.

“Our clients are helpless and attempts to reach out to Major Dirisu resulted in threats to their lives as when Major Dirisu were impounding their vehicles, he brought out his service pistol and threatened to shoot the owners of the vehicles.

“They are appealing to the Military authority, other security agencies to come to their aid because of the situation they found themselves as Major Dirisu insisted that the owners of the items should bring his money before he would release the items, which do not belong to Festus Omuokor.” victims said

It was also gathered that the person involved in the transaction with Dirisu Mr. Omuokor, has been arrested by the police to be handed over to the Major. But the Major has refused to appear, insisting that all he wants is his money from the innocent traders, nothing else.