Residents of Unguwar Ma’aji, a community in Kaduna, the state capital, have raised concerns about the seizure of their lands and houses by officials from the Kaduna Geographical Information Service (KADGIS).

The residents consider this seizure to be illegal and a violation of their constitutional rights.

Abdullahi Tukur, the Deputy Director and Head of Stakeholders Engagement at KADGIS, refuted the allegations of land and house seizures, explaining that the affected residents had violated the Land Use Act of 1978, which designated the lands for the expansion of Kaduna Metropolis.

The residents, represented by the Unguwar Ma’aji People’s Forum, stated that a systematic property registration exercise was conducted in 2019, followed by the issuance of regularization forms in 2020.

They expressed shock when individuals claiming ownership of their lands and houses emerged, leading to evictions and property seizures.

The residents are requesting Governor Uba Sani’s intervention and an in-depth investigation into the situation.

Tukur denied any instruction for officials to collect money in the field, directing the embattled property owners to provide evidence of payment if it occurred.