In a story that has sparked outrage on social media in Benue State, a house agent in Makurdi has been accused of defrauding a prospective tenant by collecting an agency fee of 20,000 naira despite knowing that the apartment in question had already been allocated to someone else.
According to a viral Facebook post by user D’naked Elder Sughnen Yaa…, the incident began when the agent, referred to as “Oga agent,” accepted the 20k fee from a woman interested in renting the property. The post claims that when the woman attempted to proceed with the payment for the apartment, the agent repeatedly made excuses and delayed the process. Frustrated with the stalling tactics, the woman reportedly took matters into her own hands and physically confronted the agent, leading to his eventual exposure.
The post praises Officer Adamgbe Sylvester for his swift and positive response in handling the situation, stating that the officer’s quick action helped resolve the matter. It concludes with a stern warning to other house agents in Makurdi and Benue State at large, urging those “with evil heart” to desist from making life difficult for residents seeking accommodation. “Them go learn in a hard way!” the post declares emphatically.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about unethical practices among some property agents in Nigeria’s rental market, where agency fees—typically 10% of the annual rent—are common but can become a tool for exploitation when agents misrepresent property availability. While such stories often circulate on social media, they serve as a reminder for tenants to verify property status directly with landlords when possible and to document all transactions.
As housing demand remains high in urban areas like Makurdi, residents are calling for greater accountability in the real estate sector to protect vulnerable renters from similar scams.
