By Umar Dankano,Yola.
The Kofare/Dundere Community of Yola South local government area in Adamawa State has urged Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to compensate them for the ongoing demolition exercise of their houses embarked by his led government.
Recall that the Adamawa State government had earmarked about 166 houses for demolition as a result of acquiring the land illegally and encroaching in the ultra modern jimeta stadium which the state government had reached 90% completion and intend to commission it before the expiration of Governor Fintiri ‘s second tenure in 2027.
The government claimed to have several ly informed the affected inhabitants of the area of its intention to retrieve all areas encroached by the people but they ignored such directives until on the 8th June 2026 (Monday) they woke up to see bulldozers demolishing the house marked with red paint for such exercise then they realized that the matter is a serious one .
Chairman of the Kofare/Dundere Community, Mohammed Abdullahi Suleiman at a press conference in Yola on Sunday appealed to the government to compensate all parties affected by such traumatic circumstances stressing that they have followed due process in acquiring their respective plots and the agency concerned gave them the legal documents including building permits,plans before they built their houses.
Suleiman explained that some of them have occupied their respective houses for as long as fifteen (15) years but only to given shock of their lives by this Fintiri led administration noting that the effort to complete the stadium is a welcome idea but lamenting that their peace and tranquility has been shattered by such traumatic development.
Suleiman emphasized that the government needs to look in to their plights by providing alternative ways for them as loyal and law abiding citizens decrying that some of them have failed to be sick due to this unexpected situation.
He called on Governor Fintiri to use his good office in addressing this matter with human face so that people involved can have a sense of belonging reiterating that even if it was a mistake,they don’t deserve such harsh decisions from a government they brought on board.
Investigation by this reporter revealed that 60 houses have already been demolished.A situation that cost some affected residents their lives while others were hit with hypotension being people who used their benefits as retirees to get roof over their heads as bread winners to their beloved families.
Another source who pleaded not to be mentioned in the print told this paper that the issue of contention regarding the area was addressed in 1984 where the then government brought the issue of ownership and was settled.
According to the source, the plan for the stadium was initiated by former military administrator AVM David Jang and former Governor Murtala Nyako also built more structures in the stadium until now that Fintiri wants to complete it and demolished many houses without any alternative to the inhabitants talk more of compensation at the critical economic situations in the country.