A shop owner in Bauchi State, Buhari Hashim PZ, has raised the alarm over the demolition of his properties in Unguwar Kurmi, near the Central Market, alleging gross injustice in the compensation process and controversial allocation of the land.
Speaking on the incident, Hashim said he owned three shops in the area, which he purchased several years ago for about ₦16million.
According to him, the value of the properties had significantly appreciated over time, with offers exceeding ₦30million, which he declined in hopes of continued business operations.
He alleged that the Bauchi State government later took over the shops with assurances that affected owners would be adequately compensated.
However, he claimed that after the demolition, he was paid only ₦1.2million for the three shops — an amount he described as “grossly unfair and far below the real value” of the properties, which he estimates to be worth over ₦70million in current terms.
Hashim further alleged that the land has now been handed over to a private company, Gryn Bricks & Tech Limited, which he claimed is linked to Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, son of the Bauchi State Governor. He said construction activities are already ongoing at the site.
The shop owner also claimed that the incident has had devastating consequences for some victims, alleging that a number of affected traders have died due to shock and emotional distress following the demolition and compensation dispute.
He called on relevant authorities and the public to intervene, demanding a review of the compensation process and accountability over the allocation of the land.
The development has sparked concerns among residents and traders in the area, with many questioning transparency, fairness, and due process in the handling of public land and compensation matters.