From Joseph Adahnu, Yola
Marketers and traders hard it tough Wednesday, as Adamawa State government, pulled down 2,000 illegal shops and other unapproved structures in the Jimeta Ultra-Modern Market.
This is in order to restore the initial plan of the market to its original design.
The demolition, which began on Tuesday, followed a directive from Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, conveyed in a letter dated September 12, 2025, by the Adamawa State Urban & Regional Planning Board (ASUPDA). The government accused some traders of erecting unauthorized “temporary shops” that blocked access roads and distorted the market’s master plan.
Speaking, to Journalists, the Chairman of the Restoration Committee and Director of the State Urban & Regional Planning Board, T.P. John Zutuwa, disclosed that over 2,000 illegal structures had already been demolished, with more still to be removed.
According to him, all developments not in conformity with the master plan must go.
He added that the demolition was been carried out carefully with security personnels on-site to ensure everything is done smoothly and safely. Adding that government had earlier informed traders at the market about plans to carryout demolition of illegal structures.
Government, he said, gave the traders extra 14 days to prepare, aiming to support them while still keeping the project on track.
The Chairman said the illegal structures has become nuisance, causing problems, blocking customers access and traffic flow in the market.
Some traders however, condemned the move, saying they were not given sufficient time to find alternatives. They described the demolition as harsh, especially amid prevailing economic hardships, and appealed to the government to provide them with new trading spaces.
