Irate youths on Tuesday destroyed the private residence of the Niger State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso in Minna.

The youth were angry over the demolition of their shops in the mini-market located along Brighter Road by the state Urban Development Board.

The traders and youths claimed that they were not given notice before the demolition exercise, adding that their goods which were worth thousands of naira were also destroyed by the board.

The traders complained that they were not allowed to pack their goods and valuables and that notice was not given to them as they lamented that they had lost thousands of Naira.

Some of the youth who were still around when The Nation visited wondered why the market should be demolished while the Deputy Governor’s house is left standing despite that they were on the same lane.

However, the Acting General Manager of the Niger State Urban Development Board, Muhammed Daba said the traders were duly notified before the board came to demolish the structures.

“We have notified them earlier to remove the illegal structures before we began the demolition and by law, we are not obliged to notify them.

Daba stated that some of his men were also attacked when the youth began protesting the demolition, adding that they are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

The Niger State Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nas Abdullahi, confirmed that the members of staff of the board were attacked during the exercise.

“They were attacked but none of the security officers at the scene was affected because they overpowered the youth. “One of the drivers who was affected has been taken to hospital for treatment,” he said. The Nation