From Ismail Adebayo Birnin Kebbi
A businessman, Faruk Sarkin Kabi Jega, has raised alarm over the demolition of his family property by the authorities of Jega Local Government in Kebbi State.
Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi at the weekend, Malam Faruk said he bought the disputed landed property located at the Government Reserve Area (GRA) from the owner about 18 years ago but the local government authorities demolished the fence around the land and alocated it as fire service station.
Faruk said "I and my brother Shehu Marshall acquired the land about 18 years ago with relevant documents to back its ownership. They took land from us even though they knew it was our property.
"To our suprise, on Wednesday morning we saw some staff of the local government and security men supervising the demolition of the structure we put on the land without notifying any of us .
"We bought the land in appropriate way with all relevant documents. We wants the state government to interview by compensating us with another land or give us money for the land".
Faruk said the family may have to take legal action against the local government authorities if they fail to address the matter appropriately. 'Our lawyer has writen to the council but we are awaiting their responde before going to court", Faruk said.
While reacting to the matter, Jega council authorities said the land was revoked after an executive council meeting held by the local government. It said the and was allocated for community use based on the request to established a fire service station in the area.
The council said the state Governor had already signed a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O ) for the community to establish a fire service station on the land.
It said "Anyone claiming ownership of the land should come forward with documents for compensation or take a legal action to seek redress".
