Many displaced as Rivers Govt demolishes shanties
By Bisola Adeyemo
The Rivers State Government has demolished shanties along the Eleme axis of the East-West, rendering many homeless.
Governor Nyesom Wike have repeatedly said the shanties provide hideouts for some criminals operating in the State.
However, the Chief of the Hausa community in Eleme, Al-Shittu Dahiru whose members were affected by the demolition said about fifteen thousand of them have been rendered homeless by the State Government, Daily Post reported.
According to him, “We were just here when we saw a Caterpillar from Eleme Local Government Chairman who said he was sent by the Governor to demolish our houses here.
“More than fifteen thousand people including women and children have been displaced. For 37 years, I have not seen a Hausa man that police have accosted for any crime. We don’t know where this is coming from.
“The businesses of our people have also been displaced by the action of the government for no reason. We are appealing with his excellency to assist us.”
Other affected residents also appealed to the governor to rescue them from suffering by paying a visit to the area.
One of them said, ”we are pleading with the State and the Federal Government to come to our rescue. We have different tribes here. I’m from Edo State and we have a lot of Hausa people here who are living with their families and they have rendered us homeless. No place to sleep, so we are pleading with the State Government. Let justice be served.”