NUDB demolishes illegal structures, criminal hideout as DG leads Minna operation
By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Niger state Urban Development Board (NUDB) has demolished illegal structures at a notorious settlement opposite the MI Wushishi housing estate, Tunga area of Minna Niger state.
It was learnt that the Director General of the board, Abdulrahman Jimada Mohammed lead the operation Thursday at about 9.30am .
It was gathered that the settlement comprising of about 30 makeshift shops located at the Alovera hotel junction/first gate of the MI Wushishi estate, has in recent years been occupied by miscreants and criminals whose activities constitute danger to the environment.
Speaking in an interview, the Director General of NUDB, Abdulrahman Jimada Gana Mohammed explained that criminal elements have been hibernating in the place while other occupants have consistently ignored several notices to evacuated.
He said, ” We have served the occupants several quit notices which they ignored. Some of them even clean up our notice to remove their illegal structures but instead they continue to erect more. This place has become criminal den and government will not allow it to fester beyond this level”.
He said that traders were also involved in turning the location to an illegal market place adding that the it has become imperative for the board to restore sanity and prevent the springing of clumsy slumps in the area. ” However, we allowed the affected traders to personally move their wares and other valuables including Kiosk or movable assets. As you can see it is the owners who are dismantling their shops by themselves not our officials “.
Residents of Kafin Tella where the settlement is located, told our reporter that the place has harboured drug boys most of whom are involved in illegal mining around the estate and environs.
Speaking in an interview, one of the affected traders, Abu Ahmad said the same place was recently burnt down completely during a midnight inferno, adding that, “today is another tragedy as we are forced to relocate and it is not up to three months when we rebuilt our burnt shops “.
