Borno State Government Set To Demolish 20 Churches And Schools

The apprehensions among Christians in Borno State following attacks by

the Boko Haram Islamic sect has taken a new dimension as the state

government intensifies efforts to demolish over 20 churches and

schools built by the churches.



The development has therefore continued to fuel speculations about the

desperation to Islamize the country beginning from Northern Nigeria.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that "the state government will

embark on the demolition exercise any moment from now."



Sources hinted that the Borno state government has already dispatched

a notice to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria,

Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and owners of farmlands in the area,

intimating them of the plan to acquire the structures for a 1000

housing units.



A leaflet from the office of the 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

journalists on Sunday in Abuja.

The leaflet is entitled: "Notice of Acquisition and

assessment/valuation of structures on proposed site for 1000 Housing

Units along Gubio Road Highway."



It reads: "I am directed to refer to you farmers and holders of

structures on the proposed site for the matter captioned above and

regret to inform you that the executive governor has by the power

conferred on him by Section (2)b of the Land Use Act 1978 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 a

Housing Estate. The affected farmers and holders of structures are to

take note and appear on site for the above exercise, please."

However, our correspondent learnt from reliable sources that the state

government has no plan to develop any housing estate but to destroy

the churches and over 20 private schools built by the churches.



A source said, "Over 20 churches and many schools will be affected.

The lands on which the churches were built were bought from farmers

and they 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.