Yobe Residents Allege Damage to Homes by Nigerian Army Colonel’s Multi-Million Naira Building, Told to ‘Go to Court’
Residents of Gashu’a town in Yobe State are raising alarm over a newly constructed multi-million naira building owned by a Nigerian Army Colonel, A. A. Buba, which they claim is causing severe damage to their homes.
The building, located along Nguru Road and intended to house the town’s largest pharmacy, reportedly lacks proper drainage systems, resulting in rainwater runoff pouring directly onto neighbouring rooftops.
According to the affected residents, this runoff has caused structural damages including perforated roofs and weakened walls on houses that have stood for over 30 years. Husaini Mohammed Isah, one of the neighbours, lamented the destruction and the emotional toll on families, saying, “Our roofs have been perforated; our buildings are being destroyed. We are at risk of losing our homes.”
Another resident, who requested anonymity, added, “Every time it rains, the damage worsens, and we cannot sleep peacefully.”
Efforts to resolve the conflict have reportedly hit a dead end after the Army officer allegedly dismissed their concerns and told them to “go to court” if dissatisfied. Attempts by the Yobe State Governor’s Security Adviser, retired General Dahiru Abdulsalam, to mediate were also unsuccessful, as Colonel Buba reportedly refused to cooperate.
Colonel Buba, formerly the Commanding Officer of the 154 Taskforce Battalion of the Nigerian Army, has previously attracted negative attention. In October 2023, he made headlines for detaining a soldier who exposed poor feeding conditions of troops under his command in Gamdu, northeastern Nigeria.
When contacted, Lieutenant Colonel Onyinyechi Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, described the dispute as a personal matter unrelated to the military. She urged the residents to seek redress through civil courts if they believed they had a valid case.
“This is a private issue concerning personal property. The Army has no direct involvement,” she said. “Army personnel are bound by both military and civil laws. If the residents have a case, the court is the proper venue.”
The situation remains unresolved as the residents continue to suffer property damage, and no legal action has been reported yet. The incident highlights tensions that can arise when private developments impact long-established communities, especially when influential figures are involved.
