Protesters
Members of the OneAgape Foundation on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest in Kaduna over the demolition of their property located at Babban Saura community, urging Governor Uba Sani to intervene and ensure justice is served.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, said the land in question was legally acquired and that all necessary approvals were obtained from relevant authorities before construction began.
Speaking during the protest, the Project Manager of the Foundation, Pedro Obhafuoso, explained that the demolished site was being developed to house a football academy, solar energy training centre, and a skill acquisition hub, all designed to empower young people in Kaduna and across Nigeria.
“We acquired this land legally and obtained all the required permits before we began development. Everything was properly documented,
“So, we were shocked when armed men came and demolished the property without any prior notice.” he stated.
He alleged that the demolition was carried out by individuals claiming to represent government agencies, noting that despite several meetings with officials of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) and the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA), the issue remains unresolved.
“At one of the meetings, we were told that government would relocate us to another site and provide new documents at no cost,” he said. “But our question remains: why offer us another land when this one was legally acquired?”
Obhafuoso appealed to Governor Uba Sani to personally investigate the incident, describing him as a leader known for fairness, transparency, and inclusion.
“We are calling on His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, to wade into this matter,” he pleaded. “We believe in his commitment to justice and inclusiveness, and we are confident he will not allow such injustice to stand under his administration.”
The project manager lamented that the demolition had shaken the confidence of foreign partners and investors, who had already committed funds to the initiative based on assurances that Kaduna State was safe and conducive for business.
“This unfortunate event has created doubt among our international collaborators. If not urgently addressed, it could discourage other investors who are willing to bring development projects to Kaduna.” he said.
All efforts to reach officials of KASUPDA for comment were unsuccessful, as the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Nuhu Garba Dan’Ayamaka, did not respond to several phone calls and messages.
