A distraught poultry farmer, Bankole Henrich, has expressed his deep sorrow and frustration after losing over 5,000 birds and having to lay off 50 workers due to the sudden demolition of his farm by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) authorities. The destruction of his farm, valued at ₦150 million, occurred without any prior notice or warning, leaving Bankole devastated and questioning the fairness of the action taken against him.
In a series of emotional posts on his X account on Sunday, September 8, 2024, Bankole, who goes by the handle @henrich_banks, shared several videos showcasing the aftermath of the demolition. The videos depict the wreckage of his once-thriving poultry farm, with scattered remains of the birds that perished in the demolition.
In one of the videos, Bankole voiced his anguish, accusing the FCDA officials of carrying out the demolition without any prior notification. He revealed that he had meticulously obtained all the necessary legal documents, including a Certificate of Occupancy, before establishing the farm, making the sudden destruction both shocking and unjust.
“I am heartbroken and angry. Yesterday, my ₦150 million investment in a poultry farm located in Lokogoma, Abuja, was destroyed by the guys from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA),” Bankole lamented.
“No warning, no prior notice, just pure destruction, and over 5,000 birds are dead,” he added, his pain evident in his words.
Bankole, who had previously run for the House of Representatives in Ekiti under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, expressed his bewilderment at the government’s actions. He questioned why he wasn’t allowed to farm on his own property despite following all legal processes and securing the necessary documentation.
“How can this happen in a country where I followed every legal process? Let it be clear that all papers, including the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), were obtained, and yet, some individuals in this government felt it was okay to destroy what I’ve worked for—an investment of a lifetime,” he said.
The loss, Bankole emphasized, was not just his alone. He highlighted the broader impact, noting that over 50 workers were now jobless due to the demolition, with many families set to suffer as a result. “This isn’t just my loss – over 50 workers are now thrown out of jobs and businesses! In these hard times, families will now suffer because of the evil of some individuals operating under the guise of FCDA,” he stated.
In his closing remarks, Bankole implored, “Tell me why I can’t farm on my private property. Why? Why?” His words resonated with many, sparking a conversation about the rights of property owners and the actions of government authorities.
Watch the video below …
I am heartbroken & angry. Yesterday, my ₦150 million investment in a poultry farm located in Lokogoma, Abuja, was DESTROYED by the guys from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
NO WARNING, no prior notice, just pure destruction and over 5,000 birds are dead. pic.twitter.com/zdbKAc428S
— AKOMOLAFE Henrich Bankole (@henrich_banks) September 8, 2024
