SAN FRANCISCO, September 08, (THEWILL) – Indications have emerged that the land acquisition plan by the Borno State Government to make way for the 1000-unit housing estate in Maiduguri may consume about 20 Christian schools and Churches in the state capital.
Already, demolition notice has been served on the affected Churches and Christian schools, THEWILL can report.
But the action is now fueling suspicion that the State Government may be pursuing a gradual plan to Islamise the state as part of an alleged wider plan to Islamise the northern part of the country.
And this is causing apprehensions among Christians in the State who are yet to recover from the pains and loss from the Boko Haram insurgency.
Impeccable sources confirmed over the weekend that “the state government will embark on the demolition exercise any moment from now” as the state government is said to have dispatched a notice to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and owners of farmlands in the area.
An information leaflet on the acquisition plan from the State Ministry of Lands and Survey dated August 20 and signed by one Musa Ummate (O/C Land Administration) on behalf of the Commissioner was obtained by journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
The leaflet, entitled Notice of Acquisition and assessment/valuation of structures on proposed site for 1000 Housing Units along Gubio Road Highway, reads: “I am directed to refer to you farmers and holders of structures on the proposed site for caption matter above and regret to inform you that the Executive Governor has on the power conferred on him by Section (2)b of the Land Use Act 1978 has directed through high powered committee on Construction Ref. no: HPCC/2500/HE/S/TEC/1 to notify you of his intention to acquire your farm lands and assessment/valuation of the structures on the proposed site situated along Gubio Road, Maiduguri.
“The acquisition is necessary in view of requirements of the land by the state government for overriding public interest to construct Housing Estate. The affected farmers and holders of structures are to take note and appear on site for the above exercise, please.”
But there are fears that the state government may not really have any plan to develop any housing estate and may just be looking for a ploy to destroy the churches and over 20 private schools built by the churches.
“Over 20 churches and many schools will be affected. The lands on which the churches were built were bought from farmers and have the authority and certificate of the District Head in Maiduguri popularly called Bulama. The land was not under the Ministry when it was bought.
“The Christians went for the meeting called by the Governor and for several hours, the Governor didn’t come out to see them. It is always difficult for Christians to get a land in Maiduguri. Even after getting the land, the government won’t give you Certificate of Occupancy. They compensated all Borno Muslims who are victims of Boko Haram. But how many Christians were compensated?,” a source said.
The General Secretary of CAN , Dr. Musa Asake, who confirmed the development however urged the State Government to consider the effects of the plan before embarking on it..
“We have seen the eviction notice from the Borno State Government. We are all Nigerians and there are other places where the State Government can develop. The areas being earmarked for demolition are already developed with churches and schools.
“We have enough problems at hand and we don’t want to add another problem. Christians have suffered enough in Borno State. If the State Government wants to destroy churches and build any Housing Estate, no Christian will see it as a sign of progress.
“As soon as we authenticate the source of that letter, we are going to reach out to the State Government to make sure that Christians don’t lose their churches and lands there. But we have no reason to doubt the source of that letter. We have suffered enough in Borno State and enough of all these things which are coming in another disguise.
“Borno State Government should reconsider that decision to demolish Churches and their properties because in Borno State, there are many vast lands. They should do that instead of going to these areas where Christians have settled for long. We are asking the Borno State Government not to try it.” Asake said.
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