A fresh land dispute has emerged in Kano as the Yan Bahead Association and Islamic cleric, Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi, are laying claim to land located in Fagge local government area of Kano state.
The Independent Mirror reports that the land, which is located beside Kantin Kwari textile market, is said to be in use by the drivers for over seven decades, while the cleric has been granted permission to use it for preaching.
But the crisis started brewing when the cleric was heard thanking the governor for giving him the controversial land.
Speaking to journalists in Kano, one of the leaders of the Yan Bahead Association, Sunusi Abdullahi Mohammed, alleged that the cleric’s claim that the governor allocated the land to him is “misleading and not true”.
Mohammed explained that the association had occupied the land for over 75 years, adding that it secured a Certificate of Occupancy 13 years ago and has consistently paid ground rent, including the latest payment for 2025/2026.
“If your certificate is not active, there is no way you will go to the government and make such payments,” he said.
He further noted that the association had sought approval from the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) to develop the land but was denied, only to later hear that it had been allocated to someone else.
“The place is ours. The fact that he is using the place to preach doesn’t mean it belongs to him. He came to us four decades ago to request using the place during Ramadan and Maulud, but now he has grown to claim ownership,” Mohammed stated.
He stressed that thousands of youths benefit from the land, which is used for repairing cars and tricycles.
In response, Sheikh Kalarawi insisted he is the rightful owner of the property, saying he possesses all necessary documents to prove it was allocated to him.
According to him, the land had remained idle for decades until Governor Yusuf allocated it to him in February 2024 through the Ministry of Land.
He added that he obtained KNUPDA approval in March 2025 to build a school on the site and had paid all required fees, including approval and betterment charges.
“I have every document showing rightful ownership of the place,” he said, while showing the original documents to our reporter.
Efforts to hear from the state’s Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Umar Garko has proved abortive as the ministry’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Murtala Shehu Umar, said the Commissioner was unable to respond after series of enquiries.
Daily Trust
