The Kano State Government’s Special Task Force Committee on Illegal Structures has sealed an alleged illegal plaza construction site at Unguwar Wambai in Gwale Local Government Area alongside 36 other structures across Kano metropolis as part of its intensified crackdown on unauthorized developments and violations of urban planning regulations.
The enforcement exercise, led by the Chairman of the committee and Director-General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, targeted structures found to be in contravention of approved building plans, land-use regulations, and safety requirements.
The sealing of the plaza construction site at Unguwar Wambai was among the major highlights of the operation, with the committee maintaining that all developments must strictly comply with approved plans and relevant statutory requirements before construction or commercial activities can proceed.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Sani said the operation forms part of the Kano State Government’s commitment to restoring sanity in physical development, protecting residents from unsafe structures, and preserving the state’s master plan.
According to him, investigations conducted by the committee revealed that several of the affected structures were either erected without proper approvals, developed contrary to approved plans, or converted from residential to commercial purposes without obtaining the necessary certification and authorization from relevant authorities.
He stressed that the government would not tolerate indiscriminate developments capable of threatening public safety and disrupting orderly urban growth.
“We are determined to ensure that every structure erected within Kano State complies with approved standards, planning regulations, and safety requirements. Any building approved for residential use must remain so unless proper approval for change of use is obtained from the relevant authorities,” Dr. Sani said.
The committee chairman emphasized that commercial structures must undergo integrity tests to ascertain their structural soundness, engineering quality, safety standards, and suitability for public use.
He explained that integrity tests are critical in preventing structural failures, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that buildings meet established professional and regulatory standards.
The 36 other structures sealed by the committee include:
- Baffa Manager Eastern Bypass uncompleted building.
- Two-storey building at Eastern Bypass Plaza.
- Uncompleted building along Eastern Bypass.
- 300-metre shops with fence at Eastern Bypass.
- Upstairs Plaza opposite Ladanai Layout.
- Empty fenced shops at Eastern Bypass, Nassarawa Local Government Area.
- Plaza at Ladanai Layout, Nassarawa Local Government Area.
- Triple 4 Plaza along Eastern Bypass belonging to Alhaji Abubakar.
- Triplex Plaza opposite Matrix Filling Station on Eastern Bypass.
- Triplex Plaza at Ladanai.
- Empty fenced land at Ladanai.
- Fenced garage at Ladanai.
- Alhaji Umar’s uncompleted building at Eastern Bypass.
- Garage at Eastern Bypass.
- Plaza at Sani Brothers Transport along Muhammadu Buhari Interchange Bridge.
- Iyyaka Na’abudu Wa Iyaka Nastaeen Plaza at Hotoro Roundabout, Maiduguri Road.
- Uncompleted Plaza at Maiduguri Road.
- Fenced uncompleted structure at Maiduguri Road.
- Hotoro Muradun Garage along B.A. Bello Spare Parts.
- Garage near Audu Manager Filling Station in Tarauni Local Government Area.
- Fenced Garage No. 224 Maiduguri Road.
- Uncompleted building near Karofi Oil and Gas and Spare Parts.
- Garage opposite Howo Palace along Eastern Bypass.
- Howo Palace Spare Parts premises along Eastern Bypass.
- Uncompleted building near Howo Palace Spare Parts.
- Garage near Sadan Filling Station in Hotoro Muradun.
- Garage behind Sadan Filling Station.
- Garage at NU Synergy, Hotoro Muradun.
- Garage opposite Magaji Special Suya.
- Fenced Garage opposite Sadan Filling Station.
- Garage along Eastern Bypass.
- Garage near Sani Battery in Tarauni Local Government Area.
- Bilbaz Plaza at Hotoro Eastern Bypass.
- Plaza opposite G-Plus Soft Drinks along Eastern Bypass.
- Garage opposite Kam Oil and Gas Limited.
- Uncompleted building fenced and sealed.
In addition to the above structures, the committee also sealed the plaza construction site at Unguwar Wambai in Gwale Local Government Area and a plaza located along Gwarzo Road under a high-tension electricity corridor opposite Rodiat Hospital over alleged planning and safety violations.
He warned developers, investors, and property owners against embarking on unauthorized construction or changing the purpose of buildings without proper authorization.
The committee chairman further appealed to residents of Kano State to ensure that all construction projects conform to approved plans and meet all required safety and regulatory standards.
“We are not against development or investment. Our responsibility is to ensure that development takes place in accordance with the law and in a manner that protects the safety and wellbeing of the public. Every structure must meet the required standards whether it is residential or commercial,” he stated.
Dr. Sani assured residents that the exercise is aimed at safeguarding lives and property while promoting sustainable urban development across the state.
Meanwhile, the latest operation comes barely a day after the committee sealed 13 other structures in different parts of Kano metropolis over similar violations involving illegal developments, unauthorized conversion of residential buildings, and non-compliance with approved building plans.
The earlier exercise affected properties located along Sokoto Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Magaji Rumfa Road, Murtala Muhammad Way, Jigirya B. Hadejia Road, and other strategic locations within the city.
Residents and stakeholders have continued to commend the enforcement exercise, describing it as a timely intervention aimed at addressing the growing challenge of illegal structures, ensuring public safety, and strengthening compliance with urban planning laws in Kano State.
The operation underscores the determination of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to enforce planning regulations, protect public infrastructure, and create a safer and more orderly environment for residents and investors alike.