The Kaduna State Government hasbegun demolition of over 450 buildingsin Zaria as approved by state governorNasir E-Rufai, Peoples Gazette reports.

Already, no fewer than 200 buildings,including churches and schools havebeen pulled down in Graceland byoperatives of the state’s urban planningagency, KASUPA.

Malam Dogo, a witness, said that the demolition began on Monday.

“Presently, over 200 houses have beendestroyed out of the 450 marked fordemolition,”

He named churches affected by thedemolition to include coCIN, Baptist andECWA. Bethel Group of Schools was alsosaid to have been demolished.

It was learnt that the Kaduna Government had claimed that the properties being demolished encroached on land belonging to the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

Graceland community is located behind the college.
Meanwhile, residents have decried the demolition exercise, claiming many families have now been turned homeless and displaced.

One of the residents known as Oge said,”Sad, broken and disgusted by the wickedness that El Rufai has meted out to residents of Graceland in Zaria.Homes and churches demolished.Families displaced.What manner of evil is this????”

However, reports from some quarters said, on Thursday, Amnesty International asked the Kaduna government to halt the demolition exercise, noting that “forced eviction is a gross human rights violation that particularly deprives people of the right to housing.”