Zaria (Kaduna State) – Members of Unguwan Nasarawa community in Zaria Local Government of Kaduna State, on Friday staged a peaceful protest, to compel Kaduna State Government to rescind its decision to demolish their residential houses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the protesters, mostly women and children blocked Kofar Doka – Kaduna Road for few hours, before they were dispersed.
NAN recalls that officials from Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) on Thursday marked nearly 300 houses in the area, located behind the state library for demolition in the next three weeks.
Malama Rukayya Ahmad who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said they genuinely acquired the land.
“We are here with our children protesting the decision of the state government to demolish our residential houses.
“We voted Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i because of Baba Buhari, in order to actualise the mission of positive change not for destruction,” she noted.
According to her, they acquired the land from the rightful owners of the farmlands, not from the library authorities.
“The original owners of the lands are still alive and they told us that Balarabe Musa, the former governor of the state had wanted to buy the land from them to build library, but could not pay them the money.
“We want Gov. El-Rufa’i to thoroughly investigate the matter so that justice can prevail; Balarabe Musa is still alive and some of the land owners are also alive,” she said.
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Efforts to contact Mr Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant to Gov. El-Rufa’i on Media for comment failed, as he did not respond to phone calls and text messages.
(NAN)
