The Kano State Government has stepped up enforcement of urban planning laws, carrying out another demolition exercise to remove illegal buildings in the city.
Officials from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning led the operation on Monday at Sharada Ja’en in Gwale Local Government Area. The demolition was personally supervised by the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar.
According to the government, the action followed reports that some individuals secretly built commercial structures on land belonging to the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
After the exercise, the commissioner spoke with journalists and stressed that any future development on the land must strictly follow the rules set by the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA).
“The land is designated for recreational and leisure purposes, not commercial activities,” Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar said.
“The state government has now taken over the oversight of the land to ensure proper usage, and any structure to be erected must meet the approved KNUPDA guidelines.”
Umar explained that the demolition targeted buildings that were constructed without approval on government land and public spaces. He said such developments create problems for proper city planning and infrastructure development.
The commissioner also warned that authorities would continue monitoring different parts of the city and take firm action against anyone who violates land-use rules.
He said the demolition exercise is part of the Kano State Government’s wider urban renewal and land management programme. The programme aims to clean up the city, protect public land, and ensure that all developments follow approved zoning and planning regulations.
Some stakeholders welcomed the move, saying it shows the commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to enforcing planning laws and ensuring organised development in Kano.
The ministry also said similar operations would continue in other parts of the city to stop illegal construction and protect government-owned land.
