The Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) has issued a strong warning that any land without proper documentation or license will be seized by the government.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of BOGIS, Engineer Adam Bababe, during an interview in Hausa with The News Chronicle on Thursday in Maiduguri.
Engineer Bababe expressed concern over the growing number of people occupying government-owned lands without valid ownership documents.
He explained that many residents had unknowingly bought such lands from local leaders who sold them without issuing any legal titles.
“Some people purchased land many years ago and even built houses and industries on them. Now, they’re regretting their actions because they didn’t receive proper documentation when they bought the land. In many cases, the local leaders who sold the land claimed they inherited it from their parents,” he said.
He revealed that in several instances, individuals went to court to claim ownership of the land, but when asked to provide legal documents, they admitted they had none. “The State Government made it clear that without documents, the land doesn’t belong to them,” Bababe stated. “Some other individuals who have proper documents have now been granted the right to occupy those lands.”
BOGIS, he said, has now stepped into the matter and advised those who bought undocumented land to negotiate with the local leaders who sold it to them. While some of these cases are already in court, others have begun negotiations with the community leaders.
“This issue has been ongoing for nearly two years, and that is why we called this press conference to find a lasting solution,” Bababe noted. “If negotiations fail, what next?”
When asked why the government has not taken direct action, Engineer Bababe responded that the government is only supporting those with valid land documents. He added that the government is being cautious not to appear biased or as though it is favoring any group of people.
“That’s why we’ve allowed those affected to negotiate directly with the local leaders. The government doesn’t want to be seen as backing one side over the other,” he concluded.
