Kano Widows Cry Out Over Demolition of Shops, Land Seizure, Seek Governor’s Intervention

A group of widows in Kano have appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to intervene in what they described as the unlawful seizure of their land and demolition of their shops by state officials and community leaders.

Christiana John, a widow and mother of four, spoke on behalf of eight affected individuals—five widows and three widowers—whose shops at Agangara, Badawa in Nassarawa Local Government Area were demolished. She claimed the demolition was carried out by officials of the Kano State Hisbah Board and a group of local residents allegedly led by the district head, Malam Umar Kasim.

“We bought this land as far back as 1995 and built our shops where we have been carrying out our businesses,” Christiana said. “We woke up one day to see Hisbah officials invading our business premises, destroying our shops, saying a report was made against us. The Mai Unguwa also later led a group of people who completed the demolition and stole our properties.”

She added: “Our gates, windows, roofing sheets and other valuables were all carted away as we watched and wailed helplessly.”

According to her, they were later informed verbally that the land had been confiscated under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, but were not presented with any formal revocation notice.

Christiana, speaking in tears, said that despite their protests and efforts to reclaim the land or seek compensation, a contractor appeared on the site about a year ago and began construction.

“After all the back and forth, the extortion and fake promises here and there, a contractor came last year (2024) and is now building a new structure on our land.”

She said the affected individuals later found out that the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) is behind the ongoing construction.

“We are a group of vulnerable people in the society. We don’t know if the present Governor, a man of compassion and wisdom, is aware of the real situation,” she said.

“We are appealing to Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf to consider our plight and come to our aid. We are stranded, struggling to feed our kids without any support. Our shops are gone, the land is all we have left. Please, don’t leave us with nothing to fall back on. If the government is taking back the land, please compensate us,” she pleaded.

When contacted, the spokesperson of KNUPDA, Bahijja Kabara, confirmed knowledge of the case.

“It is true, I know the case but it happened during the previous administration,” she said.

Kabara also confirmed that KNUPDA is currently constructing ultramodern shops on the disputed land.

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