Youths destroy Niger deputy gov’s house

Irate youths shopping around a mini market on Brighter Road in Minna on Tuesday destroyed the private residence of Niger State Deputy Governor.

Eyewitnesses around the area who spoke to our correspondent explained that the irate youths carried out the attack in protest against the demolition of shops by the state urban development board.

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One of the shop owners in the area, Malam Muritala, who was weeping over the demolition, lamented that the state government never gave him any notice about the demolition that was executed on Tuesday.

He said that he was not allowed to remove his cash, goods and valuables from the shop before it was demolished.

Moses Dunia, whose shop was also demolished, accused the Niger State government of making life difficult for the common man in the area.

Reacting to the incident, the acting General Manager, Urban Development Board, Muhammed Bawa, described the allegation as baseless.

Bawa said all illegal structures in the area were duly served with notification of the impending demolition exercise.

He said some of his men were attacked in the process of discharging their duties.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nas Abdullahi, confirmed that the staff of the board were attacked during the exercise.