Cross River Governor Sacks Task Force After They Destroy Nearly Finished Building

(Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State. PHOTO CREDIT: CrossRiverWatch)

The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has fired a government team because they destroyed someone's almost finished private house.

He called the action an abuse of power and a violation of citizens' rights.

He has also ordered compensation for the property owner and stopped any further demolition work on the property.

The order came in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Linus Obogo.

Otu said the demolition was an indefensible use of public authority.

He said breaking planning rules does not give anyone the right to act against citizens without following the law.

He warned that public office is not a licence to intimidate or oppress people.

In a statement posted on his official page, he said he had ordered the task force responsible to be dissolved immediately, demolition on the property to stop, and proper compensation to be paid for the damage.

According to our source the reports came from a posts by one of the residents saying the property belongs to a Nigerian living in New York and was pulled down on August 14, even though it reportedly had a temporary building permit.

Otu described the task force's action as a serious failure and said his government will not shield officials who abuse their power.

The task force was set up in February, about six months before the demolition.

However, reporters review of the state's 2026 budget found no clear line for the task force and no money set aside for training its staff.

That raises questions about how prepared the team was to enforce planning rules.

Otu said his government will insist on accountability and will not tolerate the arbitrary use of public power.