Bauchi citizens protest alleged sale of workers’ housing estate to NAF

By Ahmed Ahmed

The Bauchi State Concerned Citizens group has raised alarm over the alleged sale of 270 newly built housing units along Ningi-Kano Road, Bauchi, to the Nigerian Air Force.

Addressing the press, the group’s chairman, Comrade Aliyu Ladan,on Friday described the development as “an unfortunate and illegitimate move” that threatens the rights and welfare of Bauchi residents.

“The houses were part of a 1,000-unit project initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to alleviate accommodation problems for workers.

He said the units had already been allocated to residents through a due process managed by the facility manager.

Ladan accused the Federal Ministry of Housing of negotiating with the Air Force to take over the estate, a move he described as “a complete violation of residents’ fundamental rights.”

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the decision could lead to unrest.
The group demanded the cancellation of the alleged sale and urged the government to protect residents’ rights.

Responding, State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Architect Nwamadu Herbert, stated that although negotiations are ongoing, no transfer has been made as directives are awaited from the Ministry’s headquarters.

He dismissed the protesters as “illegal occupants,” clarifying that the houses remain under the ministry’s custody pending directives from headquarters.