The Kaduna State Government, led by Uba Sani, has begun allocating new plots of land to residents of Malali Low-Cost whose homes were demolished under the previous administration.
The Director General of Kaduna Geographic Information Service, Dr. Bashir Garba Ibrahim, presented land titles to the beneficiaries, describing the move as a fulfillment of Governor Sani’s pledge to deliver justice to those affected.
According to Dr. Ibrahim, the allocation followed resolutions reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held on January 21, which reviewed the circumstances surrounding the demolitions carried out during the tenure of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.
While handing over the documents, he urged beneficiaries to begin development on their plots without delay and cautioned against reselling them. He emphasised that the initiative is aimed at helping displaced residents regain homeownership and contribute to the state’s growth.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Mohammed Auwal, chairman of the former Malali Low-Cost residents, expressed appreciation to the governor for addressing their long-standing grievances. He recalled the residents’ nine-year struggle for compensation and commended KADGIS for facilitating the process.
Other affected residents also praised Governor Sani’s leadership, describing it as compassionate and responsive to citizens’ needs.
The development follows a protracted dispute that began in October 2020, when the Kaduna State Development and Property Company issued a seven-day eviction notice to residents of Malali Low-Cost. Although initial protests led to a temporary suspension, a subsequent three-day notice was served in March 2021.
After the notice expired, more than 80 structures were demolished, leaving many families displaced. Since then, affected homeowners have persistently sought compensation or alternative housing from the government demands now being addressed through the new land allocations.