By Maikudi Muhammad Marafa
The Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning has arrested two suspects involved in the illegal demarcation and sale of government-owned land at the Southern Terminal Layout (Trailer Park, GunDutse).
Speaking during an inspection exercise at the site, the Honorable Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar Garko, revealed that the state government has commenced the demolition of all illegal structures erected on the designated public land.
The Commissioner explained that the Southern Terminal Layout was acquired and properly planned by the Kano State Government over a decade ago, with full compensation paid to original landowners. The facility was designed to serve as a designated transit park for heavy-duty trailers and passenger vehicles traveling to southern parts of the country, aimed at reducing traffic congestion within Kano metropolis.
Hon. Abduljabbar described the activities of the land speculators as economic sabotage, comparing their actions to previous illegal land encroachments recorded in the Rimin Zakara axis. He cautioned the public against purchasing land through customary deeds (Takardar Ciniki da Cinikayya), emphasizing that such documents lack legal standing for government-designated layouts.
“This layout is 100% government property, legally acquired and planned for public infrastructure. We have already arrested two suspects at the site today, and demolition of the illegal structures is underway. Anyone involved in illegal land transactions or the destruction of public infrastructure will face the full wrath of the law,” Commissioner Abduljabbar stated.
He further referenced a similar enforcement action conducted the previous week, where individuals caught destroying bridge infrastructure and illegally plotting land were remanded in custody by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Ministry urges members of the public to verify the legal status of any property or layout directly with the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning before making financial commitments or acquiring land in Kano State.
