Kano Landowners Demand Compensation After Court Ruling

Landowners in Kano are demanding compensation from the Federal Government, four months after a Kano High Court ruling that halted railway construction on disputed land until affected residents were compensated. The court reaffirmed this ruling four months ago, dismissing the defendants' requests and stating that the Federal Ministry of Transportation could not proceed without settling the landowners.

Isah Jibril Kaci Kasa, speaking for the landowners and serving as the Chairman of the Kano Property Agents Development Association (KPADA), expressed feelings of injustice, highlighting that the government offered replacement plots worth significantly less than the original land value. He alleged that residents faced intimidation and coercion from military personnel during the submission of original documents.

The community insists they will not accept replacement plots until compensation is paid, warning that the government must fulfill its obligations. The Federal Ministry of Transportation, represented by Director of Press Muhammad Tahir Zakari, stated they were unaware of the issue but promised to investigate.