The Jigawa State government, on Thursday explained why it has been pulling down churches in the state.
The state government explained that places of worship affected in the ongoing demolition of houses were built illegally.
The Executive Secretary of Urban Development Board, Alhaji Garba Isa, stated this while speaking with newsmen after the demolition of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and Lord Chosen Church in Dutse, noting that the churches were built without permission as required by law.
He said that because of the sensitivity of the matter, the board met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Jigawa chapter, emirate councils and the Ministry of Justice, among others.
“We gave not less than three notices to the affected churches to stop development because they failed to obtain permit from the relevant agency of government,” he said.
He said that six structures had been earmarked for demolition and would be done in batches.
According to Isa, the development control department under his agency had the mandate to pull down any illegal structure in the state capital and urban towns.
