Traders, urchins resist demolition in Yobe

Tensions flared in Damaturu, Yobe State, as traders, youths, and street urchins actively resisted the demolition of stalls and kiosks at the old Bayan Tasha Market. The state government's plan to decongest the hub and relocate vendors to the modern Ibrahim Geidam Market was met with fierce opposition when a demolition team, accompanied by a bulldozer, attempted to carry out the exercise.

“

The government officials asked us to remove our containers, stalls, and kiosks located in front of residential houses and relocate to the new market. We told them we were not operating on the roadside.

The affected traders have vehemently opposed the demolition, labeling it "unjust and illegitimate." They assert that the government's actions violate due process and are destroying their means of livelihood, a particularly harsh blow given the current economic climate. Many traders claim they have operated on land they legally purchased or rented, and even sought approval from the Yobe State Geographic Information System (YOGIS), only to have licenses halted later. This narrative of procedural unfairness and economic hardship is central to their grievance.

“

We installed our structures on land we either purchased or rented. We even approached the Yobe State Geographic Information System for approval to build on the site, but the agency later halted the license.

Adding to their distress, traders highlight their compliance with previous government directives, such as maintaining a two-meter setback from roadsides and drainage channels last year to facilitate water flow. Their surprise and devastation at the subsequent demolition, despite their cooperation, underscore a sense of betrayal and injustice. They are appealing directly to Governor Mai Mala Buni to intervene and halt the demolition, emphasizing the critical role these businesses play in their daily survival.

“

They returned with security operatives and a bulldozer and began demolishing our stalls and kiosks. However, people resisted and chased them away.

The situation has escalated to legal channels, with traders lodging complaints with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the Attorney General, who have reportedly acknowledged the injustice and promised to investigate. This resistance and the subsequent appeals reflect a significant local conflict between government urban planning initiatives and the immediate economic realities faced by small business owners in Damaturu.

“

We have taken our complaints to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio, and the Attorney General, Barrister Saleh Samanja. They acknowledged the injustice and promised to look into the matter.