Tension has gripped some residents of Gombe metropolis following the destruction of several houses and properties by the state government through the State Urban Planning and Development Board.
Our reporter who visited the affected areas reports that resident and shop owners were seen consoling each other over the unfortunate incident as they picked up some of the debris left in the houses and shops demolished.
He reports that most of the houses were partially destroyed while in some cases fences were pulled down.
It was discovered that some of the destroyed houses are still under construction while others had been completed and are being occupied.
While narrating his ordeal to our correspondent, one of the affected persons, Nura Lawan, popularly known as Nura Babba said that officials of GSUPDB had stormed the Jekadafari community around 12 midnight on Sunday in company of armed security men and went about demolishing houses and shops without any prior notice.
“At about 12 midnight on Sunday when everybody was sleeping, they (GDUPDB) moved in accompanied by armed security men who threatened to shoot anyone who came close to them.
“People were sleeping in their homes when they heard that houses were being pulled down; they had to run. If you don’t run out, they will pull down the house on you. People were shouting and running helplessly.
“If this is a government of the people and they claim that they are doing the right thing, why didn’t they come in the day time and talk to us and tell us their intentions? He asked.
“We are crying out to the world to hear what the government of Gombe state has done to us. Is Governor Inuwa Yahaya aware of this or not? We are not fighting, we cannot fight them, but we are the ones who voted them to power. If there are no people, there is no government.” He said.
Days later, the demolition was also extended to Nassarawo and Buba Shongo areas in Gombe metropolis. The taskforce commenced the demolition around 7 am on Tuesday, accompanied by armed security men.
Some of the affected traders, whose shops were demolished, expressed regrets that the demolition was extended to their streets.
They claimed to have lost goods worth millions of naira and accused the state government of insensitivity.
…Dankwambo’s houses also marked for demolition at different locations.
One of them, Sule Boda, a butcher at popular Agric Junction in Buba Shongo area, decried the manner the demolition was done and claimed to have obtained state government’s approval.
“I have been here for over 20 years. I obtained approval from the Ministry of Lands and State Development Board before starting the business here, but I was shocked that the same government decided to destroy it without giving us notice.
“There are about 300 people working here fending for themselves and their families. Ours is to beg because if we leave here, we don’t know where to go. This is why we are pleading with the government to allow us stay to continue with our businesses or provide us with an alternative to continue.
Muhammad Kawu, who owns a provision store also at same area, has described the development as a sad and disheartening one.
“We are occupying this place legally. The place was approved to us by the government and we are paying revenues as at when due. We presented them with all the documents but they didn’t care to listen to us. To our surprise, they came this morning and began to demolish our shops with our goods inside.
“We are appealing to the government to do us a favour or provide us with an alternative.” He said.
Our reporter also reports that some properties owned by the immediate past governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo were marked at different local government areas of the state.
But, all efforts by Daylight Reporters to reach government officials on the said allegations proved abortive, as the General Manager of Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Board, Steven Manaja did not respond to the text message put forward to him.
When contacted, through a WhatsApp message, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Ismaila Uba Misilli, promised to send contact of relevant officer to speak on the issue since 1st of October, 2020.
On an unverified Facebook page purportedly managed by the state development board, has posted with some pictures depicting scenes of demolition “Stop constructing any permanent building and temporary structures within the right of way for safety of ourselves, to make our state so clean and beautiful state.
