The Kano State Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal developments across the state, sealing no fewer than 50 structures comprising plazas, garages, construction sites, commercial buildings and other unauthorized developments in parts of Kano metropolis.
The enforcement exercise was carried out by the Kano State Special Task Force Committee on Illegal Structures, with major operations conducted along the Hotoro Eastern Bypass and UDB Road corridors in Tarauni Local Government Area.
Chairman of the committee and Director-General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, said the action forms part of the government’s determination to restore sanity in physical planning, prevent environmental hazards and ensure compliance with building regulations.
Speaking during the operation, Dr. Sani warned developers and property owners against erecting structures on waterways, drainage channels, road setbacks and other restricted areas, stressing that such practices pose serious threats to lives and property.
According to him, structures built on waterways and drainage corridors contribute significantly to flooding, environmental degradation and obstruction of emergency access routes.
“The government will not tolerate illegal developments that endanger public safety or violate approved planning regulations. Waterways must remain free from obstruction to ensure proper drainage and prevent flooding,” he said.
The KANGIS Director-General explained that the committee’s mandate is not only to identify illegal structures but also to ensure that all developments conform to approved land-use policies and urban planning standards.
He further warned against the use of improper, fraudulent or irregular building permits, noting that some developers obtain approvals for one purpose but later convert the structures to entirely different uses without authorization from relevant government agencies.
The DG emphasized that obtaining a building permit does not give developers the right to alter approved building specifications or change the designated use of a property without due process.
He therefore urged all property owners whose approvals, land documents or development permits have not been properly validated to immediately regularize their records and comply with government directives.
According to him, owners of affected properties should appear before the committee with all relevant documents for verification and clarification.
“We are encouraging people whose documents are incomplete or not properly validated to come forward and regularize them. The objective is compliance, not punishment. We want to achieve orderly development across Kano State,” he stated.
The chairman noted that compliance with planning regulations would help property owners avoid sanctions, protect investments and contribute to sustainable urban development.
Dr. Sani also commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for establishing the committee, describing the initiative as a bold intervention that supports the administration’s development vision.
According to him, the committee’s activities are in line with the governor’s “Kano First” Agenda, which prioritizes orderly urban growth, environmental protection, public safety and sustainable infrastructure development.
“The formation of this committee by His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, demonstrates strong commitment to protecting public infrastructure and ensuring proper physical planning. It is a major component of the Kano First Agenda,” he said.
The latest enforcement operation comes amid growing concerns over illegal construction activities across Kano metropolis, particularly developments located on waterways, drainage channels and areas designated for other purposes.
The committee has in recent weeks sealed several illegal structures, halted unauthorized construction projects and ordered the demolition of buildings found to be obstructing waterways and public access routes.
Residents and stakeholders have largely welcomed the exercise, describing it as a necessary step toward preventing flooding, protecting public infrastructure and restoring order to the state’s rapidly expanding urban landscape.
Dr. Sani appealed to residents to support the government’s efforts by reporting suspected illegal structures to relevant authorities and ensuring strict compliance with planning regulations.
He assured that the committee would continue its operations across the state to safeguard lives and property, preserve environmental standards and ensure that all developments align with Kano’s urban master plan.
The chairman reiterated that any structure found to be violating planning regulations, obstructing waterways or posing danger to public safety would face appropriate enforcement measures in accordance with the law.