Octogenarians, 300 Homeowners At Risk Of Eviction In Bayelsa

Tension is rising in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, as elderly homeowners and hundreds of other residents appeal to the state government over a planned land reacquisition that could leave many families homeless.

The dispute, centered on the School-To-Land area of Biogbolo, has drawn attention to broader national concerns about land rights, urban expansion and the protection of vulnerable citizens.

Two octogenarians, Mrs Oyintari Pulumo, 84, and Mr Torudei Amaemi, 81, are among property owners pleading with the government to reconsider the ongoing fencing of land allegedly belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

They fear that once the fencing is completed, their homes and those of over 300 others could be marked for demolition.

The elderly residents stated that they had purchased their plots legally from the Biogbolo community more than 15 years ago and had built their homes using their personal savings.

According to them, no government authority raised issues of encroachment until recently, despite their long occupation of the area.

“At our age, we are weak and vulnerable. If our houses are taken away, we will have nowhere to go,” Mrs Pulumo said, adding that the fencing exercise has created fear and anxiety among residents.

Mr Amaemi also expressed concern that demolition would worsen their living conditions amid the current economic hardship.

Other affected residents echoed the plea. A property owner, Comrade Saint Ikpokpo, stated that he purchased his land in 2008 and built immediately, insisting that no ministry had ever informed residents that the land belonged to the government.

He urged authorities to show understanding, noting that the School-To-Land Authority already occupies a large portion of land in the area.

The situation escalated over the weekend when residents staged a protest, warning that the fencing could lead to mass displacement.

Protesters appealed to the government to temper justice with mercy, insisting they are law-abiding citizens who acquired their properties legitimately.

Reacting, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, warned against attacks on government workers or obstruction of the fencing exercise.

He explained that the 16.19-hectare land was acquired by the Bayelsa State Government at creation for agricultural training and research purposes.

According to the commissioner, the government invested heavily in facilities at the School-To-Land centre, including classrooms, warehouses, a feed mill, poultry housing and a rice mill, many of which were vandalised due to a lack of fencing and security.

He said the current fencing was approved to prevent further losses, not to demolish homes.

Prof Sese stressed that the directive from Governor Douye Diri was strictly to fence government property, adding that no demolition order has been issued.

He maintained that the government would examine the claims of occupants but insisted that the fencing must continue without interference.