Tension is rising in the heart of Katsina as traders at Fatima Baika Market face the looming threat of demolition. Over 60 shop owners are sounding the alarm, alleging that the Chairman of the Central Market Traders Association is behind a push to have their stalls torn down.
At a press conference held on Monday, the affected traders accused the chairman, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, of betraying their trust by instigating the Katsina State Government to target structures built during former Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s administration.
“Business is our only hope,” lamented one trader. “If these shops go down, so does everything we’ve built.” Many questioned why the chairman, who was elected to protect their interests, now appears to be working against them.
According to Alhaji Sabi’u Haruna, the affected stalls were legally approved and constructed with government oversight. “We fear this is a political setup,” he said, alleging that their own market leader is trying to tarnish their image before state authorities.
Another trader, Alhaji Usman Tukur Mai Nama, emphasized that they acquired the land and developed the shops legally. “This isn’t just business for us — it’s survival. Threats of demolition are unjust,” he declared.
Yahaya Yusuf warned of the broader impact, stating, “Destroying these shops will push families into poverty. The government must step in now to prevent disaster.”
In defense, Chairman Abubakar argued that the shops were built without proper legal processes and hinted at alternative sites for the traders. He blamed the Masari administration, calling it a “tyrant government” and insisted his actions were in line with the market’s regulations.
But former secretary Bello Sama’ila disputed that. “Every structure here was built with official approval,” he stated, urging Governor Dikko Umar Radda to verify the traders’ documents and intervene on their behalf.
Human rights advocates are also stepping in. Comrade Yusuf Ahmad of the Human Rights Network of Nigeria condemned the conflict and warned that unchecked demolition could stall local economic growth.
“This is more than a market dispute — it’s about people’s lives and livelihoods,” he said. “The Katsina State government must ensure justice and fairness. This standoff must not be allowed to spiral.”
As the drama unfolds, all eyes are on the state government for a resolution that will determine the fate of dozens of traders and their families in Katsina’s economic landscape.
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