The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has taken decisive action against land grabbers in the state, confiscating over 1,000 plots of land from suspected individuals.
This operation marks a major step in the state’s fight against corruption and land fraud, with two suspects already in custody and assisting in the ongoing investigation.
PCACC Chairman Barrister Muhuyi Magaji revealed the details of the operation during a media briefing, highlighting the sophisticated tactics employed by the land-grabbing syndicates. According to Magaji, the criminal network collaborates with certain lawyers in the state to manipulate the legal system. Their strategy involves creating fictitious defendants and filing false applications to obtain fraudulent consent judgments, enabling them to unlawfully claim ownership of state-owned lands.
“These individuals have turned land grabbing into a criminal enterprise,” Magaji said, emphasizing that all the lands targeted by these schemes are government properties. He clarified that the state government has no involvement in these fraudulent suits, as the entire process is orchestrated by syndicates looking to exploit legal loopholes.
The chairman commended the integrity of Department of State Service (DSS) officials, who resisted a bribe offer of 2.8 million Naira from one of the suspects during the arrest. Their steadfast refusal to compromise demonstrates the growing commitment to eradicating corruption in Kano State.
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This operation follows an executive order signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which grants the government the authority to recover lands illegally seized by such syndicates. Magaji praised the governor’s leadership, noting that the state’s proactive approach to combating land fraud sets a strong example for other regions.
“The actions we’re taking today are part of a broader mission to bring accountability and transparency to land administration in Kano,” Magaji said. “Our work will put an end to these unethical and unlawful activities, ensuring justice is served and public trust is restored.
Magaji also reaffirmed the PCACC’s commitment to supporting the Kano State Government’s efforts to promote good governance and protect the rights of its citizens. He assured residents that the anti-graft commission will continue to act decisively against anyone attempting to undermine the state’s resources and integrity.
This crackdown sends a powerful message to land grabbers and their accomplices: corruption will no longer go unpunished in Kano State. By taking firm and uncompromising action, the state is paving the way for a more equitable and transparent future for its people.
