Tenant beats landlord over locked room in Abuja

Tenant Musa Alhassan is accused of assaulting his landlord, Samson Bako, in the Pegi community of Kuje Area Council, FCT, following a dispute over unpaid rent.

The incident unfolded at night when Alhassan—a commercial driver—returned home to find his room padlocked by the landlord.

Local resident Ishaku Ayuba told reporters that Alhassan had neglected to pay rent for over a year despite multiple reminders.

“This commercial driver has been living in that compound for three years, and since his rent expired last year, he has refused to pay the landlord,” Ayuba said.

Out of frustration, the landlord had secured the tenant’s room by adding another padlock while Alhassan was away at work. The situation escalated when Alhassan confronted the landlord’s son, reportedly attempting to slap him.

The altercation intensified when the landlord intervened, leading to a serious quarrel during which Alhassan allegedly assaulted him.

A member of a local vigilante group, identified only as Joshua, confirmed the incident. “We were immediately alerted by residents and intervened. The tenant was later handed over to security personnel in the area,” he stated.