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The BBC in Nigeria – Between Reporting and Propagating Terror – By Kadaria Ahmed

Published

4 years ago

on

Kadaria Ahmad

It has simply gotten out of hand.

Journalists and now a global media organisation of repute, the BBC, which should know better, are becoming a tool for terrorists, even if unwittingly, by amplifying the faces, voices and stories of killers and marauders who are still operating with impunity across Nigeria.

The public interest argument seems to have been misunderstood, some may even say misrepresented, to enable sensationalist reporting that is very unlikely to be allowed on screens in the United Kingdom. By not upholding the same standards as they would uphold in the UK, in their work in Nigeria, the BBC Africa Eye producers in their latest documentary titled ‘The Bandits Warlords of Zamfara’ have provided a global platform to terrorists and can be accused of becoming an accomplice to terror in the name of reporting it.

When Communications Professor at the University of Toronto Mahmoud Eid coined the term Terroredia, in his book Exchanging Terrorism Oxygen for Media Airwaves, Eid argues that there is now a ‘relationship between terrorists and media professionals in which acts of terrorism and media coverage are exchanged, influenced, and fuelled by one another.’ Since it was written 7 years ago, it would appear the case Eid was trying to make is now quite self-evident, especially in Nigeria where increasingly, propaganda videos and statements by terror groups as well as features on terror leaders are finding their way into mainstream media. We can now easily identify, for example, the faces of the major kingpins responsible for the widespread kidnappings and killings that are occurring on a daily basis in the Northern part of Nigeria, no thanks to having their pictures and videos splashed all over the pages of newspapers and on our television screens almost as if they are Nollywood A-listers.

None of this has ‘helped’ our inept government, led by President Muhamadu Buhari, to find and arrest these blood-thirsty criminals. The ‘pressure’ has also not stopped the administration from playing ostrich and finding an effective way of tackling insecurity. These are some of the public interest arguments put forward by those defending the featuring of predatory criminals on national and now international media platforms.

2023 Elections: IPAC Rejects Purported Deployment of Yusuf Kolo as Kano CP

The arguments also include an assertion that hearing from terrorists helps us better understand the conflicts and therefore come up with solutions. Under the guise of public interest, this is the argument that BBC Africa Eye seems to be presenting, to justify its decision to actively give copious screen time to self-confessed murderers and kidnappers, who are still actively involved in attacking communities, killing, kidnapping, pillaging and generally making life brutish and a living hell for the people of Nigeria’s North-western State of Zamfara and beyond.

The two promotional clips released for the documentary, the Bandits Warlords of Zamfara , feature a marauder who should remain nameless here, confirming that he was part of those who raided Jengebe girls’ secondary school in the state, abducting over 300 students with the attendant horror of these sorts of crimes normally entail, and releasing them, after the payment of ransom. Evidently, the BBC Africa Eye team also had no problem utilising footage that appears to have been shot by these self-confessed criminals because this makes it into the second trailer. No media of repute would take this decision because it is generally understood that these sorts of videos are recorded by terrorists for one thing and one thing only: propaganda.

Reports of the documentary in national newspapers also quote one of the featured criminals boasting, in the documentary, that he only kills, and doesn’t kidnap for ransom. This is the nature of the program that the ‘reputable’ BBC Africa Eye is positioning as having a public interest imperative.

To be clear, the current state of insecurity and all that it entails is the fault of the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, and he must be held responsible for the carnage and state of anarchy engulfing the nation. That does not however mean irresponsible reporting by the media, which after all should champion the common man, should not be challenged.

If terrorists were killing and kidnapping British citizens, especially young children, the BBC would not enable interviews by the perpetrators, particularly if they were still roaming footloose and fancy-free, without an iota of remorse for their crimes and also carrying out many more. The trauma to the psyche of the British public will be unbearable, and the BBC would not be willing to pay that price, or risk the legal consequences sure to ensue.

In the era of the Irish Republican Army, the IRA, for example, the group didn’t make it onto the airwaves of the BBC. Indeed, reporting of the activities of the political party seen as the political arm of the IRA, Sein Fein, was heavily censored. Every time they spoke, the BBC deleted their voices and replaced them with those of actors, in obedience to British Government directives which were put in place because the authorities believed publicity is like air for ‘terrorists’ groups, helping them to grow and thrive. And even though Sein Fein shared what many might argue is only an ideological position with the IRA, they were denied a presence on British airwaves in substantial ways.

Here in Nigeria, concerns about the impact the amplification of terrorists’ voices will have both on victims, their families and the public appear to be a secondary consideration to the BBC’s insistence on hearing from the bandits’ first-hand accounts and justification for their murderous activities.

There is no good argument that can justify the damage this is doing to the public that includes the school girls in Jangebe, who can now in perpetuity, watch the story of their abductions from the mouth of their abductors and relive the attendant trauma of that horrible crime.

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For all of these school girls, victims and their families, the BBC Africa Eye has confirmed their attackers’ invincibility. By documenting and handing over on a platter of gold one of the most respected media brands in the world to justify their actions, the BBC has iconised violent men leading marauding militias that are killing, abducting, maiming and leaving terror in their wake across large sways of Nigeria and who are clearly neither sorry for their crime nor looking to stop anytime soon.

It is hard to see how this will not contribute to deepening fear, mistrust, hopelessness and damage to the national psyche while undoubtedly helping with recruitment, all ingredients that actively contribute to successful outcomes for terror groups.

The public’s right to know is a sacrosanct tenant of journalists who are not and should not be in the job of censoring news. Finding the balance between that and ensuring media platforms do not provide the oxygen of publicity for terrorists and criminals is not easy, but it is at these difficult junctures that good journalism needs to stand its ground.

Recognising the importance of getting it right globally, experts including those at the BBC have taken the trouble to develop guidelines for reporting difficult stories including stories of conflict and terrorism. The German Press Code for example says “in reporting actual and threatened acts of violence, the Press should carefully weigh the public’s interest in information against the interest of victims and other people involved. It should report on such incidents in an independent and authentic way, but not allow itself to be made the tool of criminals. Nor should it undertake independent attempts to mediate between criminals and the police. THERE MUST BE NO INTERVIEWS WITH PERPETRATORS DURING ACTS OF VIOLENCE.’’

The German guidelines are unequivocal about not giving airtime to criminals involved in ongoing criminal activities and for very good reason. The BBC’s editorial guidelines are more watery, perhaps explaining why the BBC Africa Eye team is able to be cavalier about such a critical issue. But even these guidelines say “any proposal to approach an organisation (or an individual member of an organisation) designated a ‘terrorist group’ by the Home Secretary under the Terrorism Acts, and any proposal to approach individuals or organisations responsible for acts of terror, to participate in our output must be referred in advance to Director Editorial Policy and Standard and also any proposal to broadcast content made by perpetrators of a hijacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking or siege must be referred to a senior editorial figure.’’

The questions to answer therefore include: did senior people in London at the BBC fully understood that they were authorizing the recording of terrorists who are still active and who between them have been responsible for the abduction, rape and killings of thousands of people including school children?

There are other questions.

When homeland terrorists committed the inconceivable crime of hacking British soldier Lee Rigby to death in May 2013, would the BBC have considered it in the public interest to interview these terrorists? To compare apples with apples, imagine that hero Rigby’s murderers were never held for their crimes, continued butchering people and collecting seven figure ransoms., would the BBC dare to send reporters to film the murderers gloating about collecting ransom, and then hold Twitter Spaces and bask in views, clicks and likes?
The answer is NO. The BBC would never dare.

Why then is the BBC okay to fund, then publicise the glorification of practicing murderers still butchering hundreds across Nigeria and the Chad Basin? How did this three-year disregard for African lives come about, and why is this acceptable?

By their own admission, the BBC Africa Eye producers claim their reporting occurred over three-years. This is clearly well before the crime against the school girls in Jangebe occurred. These bandits and their factions commit cross-border crimes. Therefore, as a matter of urgent national and regional security, other questions which the BBC must answer publicly, in the actual interest of the public include:

1. In all these years it was conducting these ‘investigations’ of terrorists, did the BBC harbour information on potential criminal or or actual crimes they happened an did the BBC withhold this information from the relevant African security authorities?

2. After the particular interviews in which the murderers admit their collection of ransoms, and committing acts of kidnap, did the BBC hand over any of this footage to the authorities, and do so in a timely manner?

3. What footage and information has the BBC handed over to law enforcement, since the publication of this documentary?

In covering a subset of criminals for three years, the BBC has brazenly admitted that it was shooting criminals before, during and after the commission of dastardly crimes that have destroyed generations present and unborn.

The BBC Africa Eye documentaries series have been designed specifically for release on social media platforms (Facebook and YouTube). Given the programme’s track record of dubious editorial decisions and accusations of unethical behaviour including by local reporters who worked with them, BBC managers in London should also explain if the decision to put this documentary out on social media was designed to ensure its producers are not held to the high global broadcast standards the BBC is known for and which are applicable to content broadcast within the UK?

When BBC Africa Eye did a story on drug addiction in Nigeria, there were attempts by a producer to sensationalize some of the reporting, to make it more gripping. On that occasion, he was working with a seasoned and brave journalist who pushed back.

When they did a story on Sex for Grades, the two reporters responsible for the story ended up trading blame on social media over sex for by-line allegations. Again, the producers didn’t come out smelling of roses.

An investigative report by them on a popular talk show host in Nigeria who is revered by millions saw the journalist who did that reporting flee his home together with his family as a result of threats to his life. The BBC failed in its duty of care to this local journalist and in the end fellow journalists had to rally around to provide him with safe spaces.

In all, the team at BBC Africa Eye appear to be striving to do reporting that would be unacceptable in the UK for being unethical and transparently against public interest.

The problem is they have capitalised on the justified anger of the people and the inconceivable failure of the government, to once again resurrect the ugliest vestiges of colonialism, which one had hoped were long buried.

The unfolding anarchy and violence in Nigeria are serious matters, and every attempt must be made to keep the public informed. A documentary that investigates and examines government failures while centring victims and their families would have done that.

Giving boastful, bloodthirsty criminals a global platform serves only two purposes. It provides free publicity for terror and enables the BBC to push viewership figures on social media.

It does nothing for public service. Even if it does not realise it, the BBC’s reputation for stellar public service journalism is being damaged.

Black lives, their humanity and national security, should matter more than clicks.

Hopefully someone in London will take note.

Kadaria Ahmed was a Senior Producer at the BBC in London and is now CEO at Radio Now 95.3FM Lagos

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Opinion

A FRIEND’S LETTER TO ABDULMUMIN AT FIFTY

Published

15 hours ago

on

September 8, 2026

By

 

By Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, OON

There is a particular privilege in knowing someone before the world decided who they were going to be; before the titles, the cameras, the offices and the public arguments. I have had that privilege with Abdulmumin Jibrin.

I knew Abdulmumin long before most people knew him as they do today, before the National Assembly and before the many chapters of public life that have since defined his name. So, as he turns fifty, I find myself writing not about the Honourable Member for Kiru and Bebeji, but about my friend, my older brother and school father. That distinction has always mattered.

I remember someone whose mind never seemed to rest. Chairman, as we fondly call him, could take an idea everyone else had accepted, turn it around repeatedly, question it from every direction and continue long after the rest of us had become tired of the conversation. I used to tease him about it, and sometimes I still do. But over the years, I have come to understand that this intellectual restlessness is at the very centre of who he is.

It explains the businessman, the teacher, the politician and the scholar who earned a PhD in International Relations and, years later, returned to Bayero University Kano for another in Economics. Chairman has never believed that learning has an end point. He is always searching for the next question and, inevitably, the better answer.

Yet, for all his accomplishments, what I value most about him is something much simpler: his loyalty. He remembers people. He remembers friendships, kindnesses and those who stood with him when there was little to gain from doing so. Beneath the forcefulness that people see in public is a tenderness and generosity that those who know him closely understand very well.

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I have also had the privilege of seeing him through both triumph and adversity. His political journey has had its share of difficult seasons, some of them difficult enough to discourage almost anyone. But Chairman has an extraordinary capacity to return. He reflects, recalibrates and rises again. Not because the fall did not hurt, but because he has always believed that a difficult chapter does not have to be the end of the story.

Perhaps that is one of the most important lessons of his first fifty years. We are not measured by never falling. We are measured by what we learn from the fall and whether we find the courage to rise again.

Another quality I have come to admire is his ability to create room for other people to grow. He does not merely occupy spaces; he opens conversations, shares ideas and encourages those around him to think beyond their immediate circumstances. Many people have benefited from his advice, introductions, encouragement and willingness to challenge them to become better versions of themselves. That influence may not always be visible, but it is one of the lasting marks a person leaves on the lives of others.

He also possesses a rare ability to remain connected to his roots while engaging confidently with the wider world. Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, the political arena or among friends, he carries with him a strong sense of identity and responsibility. His journey has taken him through different institutions and experiences, but it has not separated him from the people, values and community that shaped him. That balance is not easy to maintain, and it is one of the reasons his story continues to resonate with many people.

At fifty, therefore, I am less interested in counting Abdulmumin’s offices, businesses, degrees or political accomplishments. I think instead of the full measure of the man I have known: the businessman who understood risk, the scholar who never stopped learning, the politician who survived both victory and defeat, and the friend who still remembers to call.

Fifty is a beautiful milestone. It gives a man enough road behind him to understand the journey, and, God willing, enough road ahead to decide what he wants the rest of that journey to mean.

My Chairman, I hope the years ahead bring a little more patience to your restlessness and a little more peace to your ambition. Build more. Give more. Mentor more. Forgive quickly, as you have always somehow managed to do. And worry less about who receives the credit. History has its own way of separating noise from substance.

Happy fiftieth birthday, Sir. May the years ahead bring you more wisdom than ambition, more peace than pressure, more purpose than applause, and many more opportunities to give than reasons to receive.

Congrats.

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Opinion

All Hail The 17th Emir Of Gumel, His Royal Highness, Dr. Lawan Ahmed Mohammed-DIG

Published

2 days ago

on

September 7, 2026

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By DIG Mohammed Usaini Gumel (Rtd)

With profound submission to the will of Almighty Allah, I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of our revered Emir, His Royal Highness Dr Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, (CON).

His distinguished reign was marked by wisdom, humility, justice, peace and devoted service to his people. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, illuminate his grave, admit him into Aljannatul Firdaus and grant him eternal rest. Ameen.

As we mourn his passing, we thank Almighty Allah for the peaceful succession to the revered throne of Gumel. It is therefore with great joy and respect that I congratulate His Royal Highness, Lawan Ahmed Mohammed, PhD, on his ascension as the 17th Emir of Gumel.
Your Royal Highness’s ascension to the throne of Gumel, continues the sacred trust entrusted to the custodians of this ancient throne.

There is no doubt that enduring traditions of unity, dignity, courage and service, has been established and preserved by the forbears, as your late father has strengthened them, through compassionate and principled leadership.

We are confident that your knowledge, experience and understanding of both our traditions and the modern world will guide the Gumel Emirate towards greater progress. We look forward to your leadership to consolidate peace and unity, preserve our cultural heritage, uphold justice and consultation, and promote development in education, agriculture, commerce, healthcare, technology, youth empowerment and community security.

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This is a time for every son and daughter of the Gumel Emirate to unite in common purpose. The strength and stability of the throne depend on the cooperation of the Royal Family, traditional titleholders, District and Village Heads, religious leaders, elders, elected representatives, professionals, farmers, traders, women, youth and all our communities, should rally round the new Emir for the common purpose of peace, unity, progress and socio-economic development of the Gumel Emirate.

At this time, our loyalty must be expressed through respect for the traditional institution, responsible conduct, sincere counsel and a shared commitment to the Emirate’s peace and development.

In a period like this we must accept to preserve the legacy of our ancestors and predecessors while building a Gumel Emirate that is peaceful, united, secure, educated, economically vibrant and responsive to every community.

Indeed, a leader serves as the heartbeat of a community. You are the heartbeat of the Gumel Emirate. The Gumel Emirate is lucky to have you as our 17th Emir, because you are such a figure, embodying wisdom, unity, and deep compassion for all residents. This tribute reflects on a legacy defined by tireless service, demonstrating how true leadership transcends mere titles to become a guiding light for generations to come.

Kindness often acts as the strongest bridge between a ruler and the people. We can only expect that this your distinguished reign as the 17th Emir of Gumel shall prioritize the well-being of the vulnerable, ensuring that voices which were often unheard find support within the palace walls.

Your Royal Highness, historical records frequently highlight leaders like the late Emir, who gained fame for generosity of spirit. I am happy to embrace the fact that you shall exhibit actions that prove authority is most effective when it is paired with genuine care for the common person.

The Gumel Emirate is lucky for the fact that beyond local boundaries, you are a master of diplomacy and peace. It’s a fact that conflicts are natural parts of human society, yet you are among the wise leaders who know how to navigate these challenges without bloodshed.

May Almighty Allah grant Your Royal Highness wisdom in judgment, patience in adversity, courage in leadership and sound health throughout your reign. May He protect you, guide your decisions and bless you with sincere, loyal and trustworthy advisers and reign, strengthen our unity, preserve our honour and bring enduring peace, progress and shared prosperity to the entire Gumel Emirate. Amin.

DIG Mohammed Usaini Gumel (Rtd) writes from his Gumel home, Jigawa State.

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Opinion

IT IS OVER: Gov Yusuf Ends 50-Year BUK Land Crisis Ushering Progress for 6,000 Families

Published

1 week ago

on

September 1, 2026

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By Abba Anwar

Fifty years of litigation, mistrust, protests and painful loss came to an end yesterday as the Kano State Government formally resolved the protracted land dispute between Bayero University Kano and the people of Rimin Zakara, Rijiyar Zaki and adjoining communities.

At a historic meeting attended by government officials, university authorities, traditional rulers and community representatives, Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf declared the crisis over and unveiled a settlement built on “… justice with compassion” that protects both institutional development and innocent families.”

Commissioner for Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Nura Iro Ma’aji, represented the Governor, Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abdujjabbar Muhammad Umar was there, Prof Ahmad Muhammad Tsauri, represented the Vice Chancellor of BUK and the people of Rimin Zakara, were led to the venue by Alhaji Baba Habu.

The exceptional effort is a clear testimony that Governor Yusuf’s administration is a peace-loving one which chooses resolution over confrontation.

Just as he said the settlement reflects the core philosophy of his administration, in an effort to confront inherited problems, restore institutions, protect ordinary citizens and deliver practical solutions to a lingering crisis. Which sometime in the past claimed innocent lives.

“We are not here to recount the history of Rimin Zakara. We are here to close it. For almost half a century, this crisis survived successive administrations. When we assumed office, we made a simple commitment, that we would not run away from difficult problems simply because they were inherited,” he emphasized.

The Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Umar, explained that a High-Level Committee was constituted after violent confrontations in early 2025 made it clear the dispute had become “… a serious issue of justice, public security, institutional development and community stability.”

He hinted that, after verifying more than 6,000 claims, examining historical records and conducting surveys, the Executive Council approved a settlement guided by one principle, that is to protect BUK, compensate genuine victims, restore peace and bring the dispute permanently to an end.

Under the informed terms of peace, it was positioned that, it would be land for BUK, plots and compensation for the People. An excellent crisis resolution strategy, commended by all and sundry.

The agreement made sure that BUK is protected. Where more than 85 per cent of Bayero University Kano’s landholding is preserved for future academic, research, residential and infrastructural development. The University made a significant sacrifice by accepting the excision of portions of land originally reserved for expansion.

Agreement further paved way for community resettlement. Where residential plots have been reserved and allocated to verified beneficiaries in the approved Rimin Zakara/Rijiyar Zaki and Jajira/Garun-Iya schemes.

Part of the agreement maintains that compensation should be ongoing. As monetary compensation for eligible claims and structures is being processed by the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning. Government has committed Billions of Naira for compensation, resettlement, planning, surveying and infrastructure.

Governor Yusuf warned henceforth that the decision to compensate was humanitarian, not a validation of illegal sales. “Thousands of people bought land in good faith from persons who had no lawful authority to sell it. Many invested their life savings. The strict application of the law without regard to these circumstances could throw thousands of families into a catastrophic situation.”

Only a government with human face can think this way. Or similarly. This good work on compassionate ground means a lot for electoral victory, come 2027. In fact some of the people who made speeches from the part of the community leaders, made it very clear that, their votes and those they control, would be in favour of Governor Yusuf. This was said without any hesitation, whatsoever.

What is worth celebrating in the resolution of Governor Yusuf’s 50-year BUK-Rimin Zakara land dispute is while Kano State has resolved its land dispute, several other states continue to grapple with age-long land conflicts that have lasted five decades and more without final resolution. This speaks volumes about Governor’s capacity, clean mind and strong political will in serving his people.

For example in Cross River/Ebonyi there is Adadama vs Amaegwu dispute. It is a story of a farmland dispute dating back to 1960. In April 2025, the crisis claimed 11 lives and displaced over 2,000 people. Despite a 2024 communique by both state governments, violence has continued. Which shows how strong is Kano’s strategy.

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In Ebonyi–Ezza vs Ezillo/Iyionu, it is a land dispute of over 50 years old, with a major serious clash in 2008 that displaced communities for 18 years. In March 2026, displaced persons petitioned Gov. Nwifuru for resettlement. Clashes and abductions were still reported in 2024. These are the kind of scenarios Kano’s current administration averted. Kudos Mr Governor!

The Ogun/Oyo–Odeda boundary dispute that was rooted in colonial 1926 boundaries. In May 2025, the Ogun State House of Assembly again urged the National Boundary Commission to urgently delineate the border after allegations of forceful land acquisition and tampering with boundary pillars. Serious clashes were witnessed which caused some loses. In Kano, under Governor Yusuf, similar ugly situation has been averted.

While Imo–Mgbirichi/Abakuru vs 34 Artillery Brigade caused serious misunderstanding, where land acquired in 1977/78 is the causative agent. Communities protested in 2024 over alleged encroachment “up to backyards of houses.” A Defence Headquarters delegation visited in 2024 for dialogue, but the dispute remains unresolved. Kano’s Model is therefore one of the best in the country.

Kano’s settlement therefore stands out as one of the few instances where a decades-old land crisis has been decisively closed through compensation, resettlement and legal backing. A vote of confidence and thank is naturally directed at Commissioner Umar.

His genuine commitment and political will as copied from the Governor, gave him all the necessary guts and straightforwardness in mending the tore parts of Rimin Zakara and its surroundings, as related to BUK, as an institution.

To unveil some of the commendable strategic points to the gathering, the Commissioner added that government would reissue compensation cards directly to verified beneficiaries and that anyone who exploited the process badly would face legal action. Campassion not weakness indeed.

The resolution followed lawful process that was backed by Law and enforced for development. The settlement is reinforced by the judgment of High Court No. 11 in Suit No. K/M1638/2026 delivered on 18th August 2026, which declared the acquisition lawful and directed government to compensate verified claims. What the state is currently doing is just that.

Part of the resolution process suggests that with effect from 31st August 2026, all land within BUK’s demarcated boundaries would be protected exclusively for the university. Government infrastructure corridors will also be secured. The Governor warned that “Our compassion must never be mistaken for weakness.” And that obstruction or fresh encroachment would be met with firm enforcement.

In what I termed as from crisis to progress: the bigger vision, it is noteworthy to know that the Governor linked the resolution to his administration’s wider development agenda, emphasizing that peace is the foundation for progress.

Touching other areas he acknowledged that “… In Education, we declared a State of Emergency. In Health, we introduced free caesarean-section services. In Water, we approved ₦21.89 billion for Challawa and Tamburawa plants. In Agriculture, we gave ₦1 billion in free fertiliser to 52,800 farmers. In Roads, we are rehabilitating 17 metropolitan roads.”

While he further elaborated that “This is the same spirit in which we approached BUK–Rimin Zakara. We are rebuilding confidence in government’s capacity to solve difficult problems,” he then commended BUK’s Vice-Chancellor, Governing Council and management for their “… patience, maturity and genuine commitment to peace… ” and urged Rimin Zakara, Rijiyar Zaki communities, traditional and religious leaders to safeguard the agreement.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Ma’aji,, got a standing ovation when he said, “Today, by the grace of Almighty Allah, a crisis of five decades has an end. Now is the time to move from crisis to development, and from dispute to progress.”

With this all-encompassing peace deal of 50 years long, there are attendant benefits attached to it.
The resolution will definitely yield security and stability. While ending the decades of confrontation, litigation and community tension, peace will now reign in the community and other surrounding communities. This is peace at work.

As a cool way for institutional growth, BUK can now proceed with lecture theatres, laboratories, hospitals and hostels without encumbrances. Resolution gives peace a chance. Corridor for shelter and livelihood now comes to the fore. Thousands of families who bought land in good faith now have legal plots and a path to compensation.

Through the Commissioner for Land, Umar, the thrust of urban planning strategy can now proceed without any hindrance from these communities. The era of proper layouts, roads and infrastructure without illegal sub-division, that remained elusive for decades, is now in place. And indeed investor confidence is restored. Where a clear legal boundary restores confidence in land administration and public institutions in Kano. Weldone the people’s Governor.

Both BUK and Rimin Zakara representatives, Prof Tsauni and Habu, commended the effort of the the Commissioner for Land, Umar, in his unrelenting efforts during the crisis and during the resolution exercises. Assuring that the Commissioner got the courage as a result of the goodwill spirit he got from the Governor. Letters of Grant were distributed to the members of the communities affected. As compensation and other verifications are on top gear.

Anwar writes from Kano
Tuesday, 1st September, 2026

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