The Kano State Government says it has uncovered an alleged land-grabbing syndicate believed to be behind the illegal sale of government-owned plots and the long-running ownership crisis at Rimin Zakara in Ungogo Local Government Area, following the arrest of two suspected members of the group.
The Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Alhaji Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar Garko, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on Thursday, saying the suspects would soon be charged to court for prosecution.
According to the commissioner, investigations by the ministry indicate that the two suspects are part of an organised network allegedly involved in illegally selling government-owned land to unsuspecting members of the public.
He alleged that members of the syndicate were also responsible for the illegal sale of plots at Rimin Zakara, a development he said fuelled years of controversy and competing ownership claims between residents of the community and Bayero University Kano (BUK).
Garko said the activities of the syndicate created confusion over the actual ownership of numerous plots, resulting in persistent claims and counterclaims that complicated efforts to resolve the dispute.
“The people arrested are among those involved in illegally selling Kano State Government plots. Their activities also contributed to the land ownership dispute at Rimin Zakara,” the commissioner said.
He disclosed that the latest arrests were made in connection with alleged illegal activities around the Gundutse Trailer Park, where the suspects were accused of selling government-owned plots without lawful authority.
According to him, the Gundutse Trailer Park has for many years remained the property of the Kano State Government, while portions of the surrounding land were officially subdivided by the government to enable interested residents legally acquire plots for residential development through due process.
He explained that no private individual or group has the authority to allocate, sell or transfer ownership of any government plot outside the legally recognised procedures established by the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.
The commissioner further stated that the trailer park itself is a strategic government facility established to ease traffic congestion and eliminate indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty trucks within Kano metropolis.
He warned that illegal encroachment on the facility not only constitutes an attack on public property but also undermines the state’s urban planning objectives and transport infrastructure.
The Commissioner said the ministry had gathered sufficient evidence against the suspects and that they would soon be arraigned before a competent court to answer charges related to the alleged illegal sale of government land.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to protecting public assets, restoring sanity to land administration and dismantling criminal networks involved in land grabbing across the state.
According to him, the government will not tolerate individuals or groups who illegally convert public property into private assets through fraudulent land transactions.
He added that investigations are continuing to identify other members of the alleged syndicate and recover additional government lands that may have been illegally allocated or sold.
The commissioner also advised members of the business community, investors, property developers and prospective land buyers to exercise caution before purchasing any land in the state.
He urged prospective buyers to verify the authenticity of land documents with the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning before making any payment, warning that many unsuspecting members of the public have fallen victim to fraudulent land dealers.
According to him, verification through the ministry remains the only reliable way of confirming the legal status and ownership of any plot in Kano State.
He assured residents that the ministry would continue collaborating with security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals involved in illegal land transactions while safeguarding government property and protecting the rights of legitimate landowners.
Abduljabbar said the ongoing crackdown forms part of broader reforms by the Kano State Government to sanitise land administration, eliminate fraudulent practices and restore public confidence in the state’s land allocation system.