Borno govt planning to demolish 20 churches & Christian schools in the state

The Borno State government are planning to demolish
at least 20 churches and christian schools in Maiduguri
after acquiring land they say they want to use for a
1000-unit housing estate.
Demolition notice has been served to the present
occupants of the acquired land, which includes owners
of farmlands and several churches and schools built by
churches. The state government have already
dispatched a notice to the leadership of the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal
Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN)
Some people feel like the government isn't really
planning to build any housing estate, just looking for an
excuse to destroy the churches and private schools,
with the alleged grand plan of gradually islamising the
state as part of an alleged wider plan to Islamise the
northern part of Nigeria.
An information leaflet on the acquisition plan from the
State Ministry of Lands and Survey has been released.
Find it after the cut...
The leaflet, entitled Notice of Acquisition and
assessment/valuation of structures on proposed site
for 1000 Housing Units along Gubio Road Highway,
reads:
"I am directed to refer to you farmers and holders
of structures on the proposed site for caption
matter above and regret to inform you that the
Executive Governor has on the power conferred on
him by Section (2)b of the Land Use Act 1978 has
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 Housing
Estate. The affected farmers and holders of
structures are to take note and appear on site for
the above exercise, please.”
Meanwhile the General Secretary of CAN , Dr. Musa
Asake, has reacted to the planned demolition. He said:
“We have seen the eviction notice from the Borno
State Government. We are all Nigerians and there
are other places where the State Government can
develop. The areas being earmarked for demolition
are already developed with churches and schools.
“We have enough problems at hand and we don’t
want to add another problem. Christians have
suffered enough in Borno State. If the State
Government wants to destroy churches and build
any Housing Estate, no Christian will see it as a
sign of progress.
“As soon as we authenticate the source of that
letter, we are going to reach out to the State
Government to make sure that Christians don’t
lose their churches and lands there. But we have
no reason to doubt the source of that letter. We
have suffered enough in Borno State and enough
of all these things which are coming in another
disguise.
“Borno State Government should reconsider that
decision to demolish Churches and their properties
because in Borno State, there are many vast
lands. They should do that instead of going to
these areas where Christians have settled for
long. We are asking the Borno State Government
not to try it.” Asake said.