There is tension in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as the state government has intensified efforts to demolish about 25 churches and schools.
The proposed demolition, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, told Vanguard might heighten insecurity challenges created by the Boko Haram.
The development has, therefore, continued to fuel speculations to Islamize the country, beginning from Northern Nigeria.
Vanguard reliably gathered that “the state government will embark on the demolition any moment from now.”
Although there are conflicting figures of the number of churches and schools to be affected, sources confirmed that it would be close to 25.
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and owners of farmlands in the area had been served quit notices by the state government, intimating them of the plan to acquire the structures to construct 1,000 housing units.
A leaflet from the office of Borno 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 newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja.
The leaflet is entitled, “Notice of acquisition and assessment/valuation of structures on proposed site for 1,000 housing units along Gubio road.”
It read: “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 farmlands 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.”
However, investigation revealed that the state government had no plan to develop any housing estate, but to destroy the churches and over 20 private schools built by the churches.
A source told Vanguard: “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 Borno Muslims who are victims of Boko Haram. But how many Christians were compensated?”
It’s a ploy to persecute Christians — CAN
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, said the demolition was another plot under the guise of public interest to persecute Christians in the state, saying it would not take it lightly.
The General Secretary of CAN, Dr. Musa Asake, who confirmed the development when contacted, called on Borno State government to have a rethink.
Dr. Asake said: “We have seen the eviction notice from Borno State government. We are 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 condemn the action and I think government should be sensitive to what the Christians in that state are going through not to come and add another problem, through demolition.
“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.”
Although, Asake disclosed that they had not been able to authenticate the source of the letter, he added “we are going to reach out to the state government to make sure that Christians don’t lose their churches and lands.
“But we have no reason to doubt the source of the 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 the decision to demolish churches and property because in Borno State, there are many vast lands. They should do that instead of going to these areas where Christians have settled. We are asking the Borno State government not to try it.”
Vanguard
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YALAAA!
ReplyDeleteYOU NOW KNOW WHOSE INTEREST BOKO HARAM SERVES!
WHAT HAPPEN TO THE NUMEROUS CALLS THAT, BH WAS POLITICAL??
YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MILITARY WING OF TERRORISTS GROUP GETS DESTROYED!
THE POLITICAL WING BECOMES EMBOLDEN.
THE BORNO STATE GOVERNOR IS NOW THE NEW FACE OF
BOKO HARAM.
GEJ! YOU NOW KNOW WHAT UP.
One Nigeria indeed.
ReplyDeleteBorno govt should have a re think on this kind of action. Christian stand wel and there right plz. This is nonse. Nonse
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure dat my people would ve read dis article but re yet to make any comment on it,however,Borno govt should take caution in other not to start a war without end with christians,after bombing of churches in dat area,d govt still ve d gut to say dey want to construct housing where there are schools and churches already,peace is all we need in dis country now not songs of religious war pls.Muslim brothers and sisters should plead with d governor to reverse d decision in our all interest.Thank u
ReplyDeleteMadness
ReplyDeleteNa their ways. With the vast land in Northern Nigeria, Wh y will it be the land on which churches and schools havebeen built the the housing estate will be situated. To me the gove is boko Haram govt and the only way to perpetuate their wicket act since the Joint Task force and vigilante is standing against their sinister motive is to destroy churches and schools. Let the Borno state Christian with a united voice and say no and let them prepare to resist the deliberate attempt to frustrate and persecute christians.
ReplyDeleteA clear lesson from the biblical history shows that their enemies did not have power over them except when they are not in terms with God.
ReplyDeleteIt is high time the Church knows that God is angry, especially with her leaders.
A clear lesson from the biblical history shows that their enemies did not have power over them except when they are not in terms with God.
ReplyDeleteIt is high time the Church knows that God is angry, especially with her leaders.
A clear lesson from the biblical history shows that their enemies did not have power over them except when they are not in terms with God.
ReplyDeleteIt is high time the Church knows that God is angry, especially with her leaders.
Let's be honest, christians in Northern Nigeria are seriouly persecuted particularly in Borno. The state Government in my opinion in Borno are the chief contributors to this mess. To all the christians in Borno, the lord is your strenght
ReplyDeleteThis may not be that God is angry,but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, John 16:1-... 2john 2:22, and so may verses yet to be fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteis time to define if Nigeria can still be one! i therefore call 4 a national conference
ReplyDeleteGullible minded people! A lot of properties are affected but in an effort to give everything religious colouration the CAN are dubiously politicizing the issue. Over a hundred properties are affected. If only 25 of them belong to christians that means over three quarter belong to Muslims. CAN should go to court and stop being hypocritical over a matter that is not happening for the first time in Borno.
ReplyDeleteIs it a sin if xtian in dat state too resist also with arms??? If it were to be Moslems on a Friday after Prayers dey wil declare a "Jihad"
ReplyDelete'If my people that are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, I will hear from heaven, I will deliver them and heal their land'. Christians in Nigeria, THAT IS THE ANSWER.
ReplyDeleteNigerian xtians are as foolish as expected. They worship there pastors and CAN more then their lord jesus
ReplyDeleteThe 1978 land use Act empowers the govn. To declear any part of the state as an urban Area. Notwith standing, s29 provides for adequate compensation of land owners in an event of revocation due to overiding public intrest. Ht
ReplyDeletePublic interest or personal interest, may God cure this public officer of this insincerity.
ReplyDeleteLeave the churches alone and the mosques and other farmlands, there are other expanse of land within the state you can build on. Aba!
These people hiding under christianity to pursue political agendas are here again. Without verification they are already making sadistic comments. When mosques were destroyed in Lagos, Jos and Maiduguri, we Muslim did not deem it fit to call that the christianisation of Nigeria but when developmental projects necessitate the demolision of few churches and ofcourse more mosques, they are shouting injustice and persecution. If a religious body cannot say the fair truth and present an unbiased response to situations, why should we hold them as sacred. Leaders of christianity have failed to represent the spiritual leader of their religion and certainly they only persue material/worldly gains as against purity of their souls and that of their adherents.
ReplyDelete