Landlords Protest planned demolition of Houses by Navy in Yenagoa

THE PROTESTERS IN THE FRONT OF THE CENTRAL NAVAL COMMAND, NIGERIAN NAVY, YENAGOA

House owners in Okoria community in Agudama-Epie, a suborb in Yenagoa, Thursday took to the streets to protest alleged forceful demolition of their property by the Central Naval Command.

The aggrieved protesters marched through the Melford Okilo Road terminating at the Government House in Yenagoa to appeal to the Governor to intervene and prevail on the Naval Authorities to stop the planned demolition of their houses.

The  protesting residents comprised property ownrs around the Okoria community in Agudama-Epie close to the Central Naval Command base in Yenagoa

They carried placards with different inscriptions reading: ‘We no go gree , our sweat no go go in vain’,’they want to destroy our property, Mr. President and Governor please save us’, and ‘we say no to oppression, Nigeria Navy you can’t destroy our houses without compensation’ amongst others.

Two members of the group, Asaye Ebikebina and Emmanuel Efrisou said men of the Central Naval Command had given them until this Saturday to demolish their property without compensation with the matter still in court.

Mrs. Sokore Blokore who is in her 60s with six children said she lost her husband recently and has no where to go to if the house built by her daughter, also now late is demolished.

Another property owner, Mr. Christopher Brik whose house had already been demolished narrates the harrowing experience he has been subjected to after then.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Domestic Matters, Mr. Lucky Yubogha commended the protesting landlords for their peaceful and orderly conduct, promising to table the issue before the Governor.

When contacted for a response, Spokesperson for the Central Naval Command, Sub Lieutenant Patricia Dike said that she was working on getting a reaction to the development.

She promised to get back with the Navy’s reaction to the allegations but she is yet to.