Bauchi, Nigeria — Residents of a federal housing estate built in 2016 for low-income earners in Bauchi State have protested a planned eviction from their homes.
They are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to stop the move and protect them from being forced out.
The peaceful protest took place on Tuesday at the estate, where many of the residents live in two-bedroom bungalows.
In an interview with the newsmen, the residents claimed the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, along with the Nigerian Air Force, is trying to evict them from the property.
Secretary of the residents’ association, Mohammed Kabir, said they were given temporary access to the houses by the Ministry after meeting all the conditions. They were also promised that the houses would later become theirs permanently.
Kabir said they were shocked to receive eviction notices, claiming the estate had been sold to the Nigerian Air Force.
Another resident, Mohammed Alfa, a federal worker, said money has been deducted from his salary for 20 years under the housing scheme, making him eligible to own one of the houses.
“We just woke up to find out the estate has been sold and we’re being told to leave,” Alfa said.
“We’ve taken care of these houses for years. We need President Tinubu to step in.”
Another resident, Mrs Hanatu Sani, also begged the President and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, to intervene. She said many of them used their own money to maintain the houses after they were abandoned.
A human rights lawyer, Barrister Mohammed Alkassim, who is helping the residents, said the eviction plan is unfair and may go against the constitution. He said the housing project was meant for regular Nigerians, not the military.
He also questioned why only the Bauchi estate is affected if the Air Force truly needs houses nationwide. “Why not use their own housing schemes under the Ministry of Defence?” he asked.
Alkassim urged the Ministry to stop the eviction, especially since some residents were told to leave within 24 hours.
Reacting to the claims, Architect Nwamadu Herbertson, who represents the Ministry in Bauchi, said the residents are not official owners. He explained that though they filled out interest forms, no proper allocations were made.
He also denied that the estate had been sold to the Nigerian Air Force.
He said the Ministry stopped taking new interest forms in April 2025, and no final decisions have been made yet.
Despite this, the residents are standing their ground and asking the President to recognize their long stay, financial contributions, and efforts in maintaining the estate.
Margret Oshinowo | August 5, 2025
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