LAGOS NOVEMBER 7TH (URHOBOTODAY)- Hundreds of youths yesterday take over the major streets in Yola protesting the state government demolition of a drinking joint popularly known as parliament.
The protesters were demonstrating what they described as selective demolition of beer joints in the state capital by the Sen. Mohammed Umaru Jibrilla Bindow-led government.
They barricaded the entrance of the Urban Development Board, the authorities that invaded Bekaji estate yesterday and pulled down beer joints owned by Adamawa non-indigenes.
What provoked the youth was the presence of a woman director from the Ministry of Environment who was accused of addressing those selling beer and those drinking as unbelievers and also saying that all non-indigenes must vacate the area.
The protest which started from Bekaji estate and spread to other parts of the state capital almost snowballed into bloody clash when the peaceful demonstration was joined by some civil servants that their bailout is yet to be paid.
The protesting youths accused the governor of harbouring political grudges against the Bekaji residents for not voting him during the 2015 general elections.
The youths carried placards that read:
“Bindow we are not regretting not voting for you; the next election again Bekaji will not vote you”, “Bindow you are breeding war that will consume you soon “.
The angry youths insisted that for. Peace to reign, all buildings constructed on illegal land in Bekaji must be pulled down.
Youths in the Bekaji estate who see the Governor Umar Bindow-led government action as a direct attack on the empowerment of the youths in the estate stated reacting in a violent manner attempting to destroy all the buildings within the area the beer joints are operating.
The arrival of six police trucks led by the Karewa command Divisional Police Officer (DPO) chief superintendent of police Mr. A. Adama , save the bloodshed that would have occurred in the estate.
The DPO who directed the staff of Urban Development board to stop the destruction until the police conclude investigators lamented while the agency can embark on such exercise without informing the police.
The Acting General Manager of Urban Development Board Engr. Tumba Tumba, while commenting on the sad development said that all the buildings built illegally will be destroyed.
The youths in Bekaji through their leader Mr. John Zakari, accused the governor of working against the people of Bekaji for not voting him during the 2015 general elections.
The youths vowed to defend their rights if the destroy beer joints are not reconstructed by government.
Bekaji estate is owner-occupied estate build since 1979; it is dominated by Christians working with the state government.