Governor Fintiri Revokes Illegal Allocation Of Market Land, Orders Immediate Reclamation

By Emmanuel Kwada

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has ordered the immediate revocation of all illegal allocations of government-owned land within the Red Brick Market corridor along Numan Road, directing relevant authorities to reclaim the property and enforce compliance.

The directive follows reports that portions of the market land were unlawfully allocated to traders and private individuals by unauthorized persons without statutory approval, due process, or remittance of proceeds to the state treasury.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, the state government described the allocations as a violation of the Land Use Act, the Adamawa State Urban Planning Development Authority Law, and established government procedures governing public land administration.

Governor Fintiri consequently directed the Adamawa State Urban Planning Development Authority (ASUPDA) to immediately take possession of the affected property and commence reclamation of all illegally allocated portions of the market.

The governor ordered all unauthorized occupants to vacate the premises without delay, warning that anyone who fails to comply would face forceful eviction and possible prosecution for criminal trespass.

“All illegal occupants are hereby ordered to vacate the property with immediate effect. Failure to comply will attract forceful eviction and prosecution for criminal trespass,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.

Fintiri also issued a stern warning to government officials and civil servants involved in the illegal allocation or sale of public land, stressing that his administration would not tolerate abuse of office or the misuse of public assets.

According to the governor, any official found to have facilitated, aided, or participated in unauthorized land transactions would be investigated and subjected to disciplinary and legal action.

“Any official found culpable will be investigated, dismissed, and prosecuted. Public office is a trust, and this administration has zero tolerance for abuse of that trust,” he stated.

The governor further cautioned residents, traders, and prospective land buyers against engaging in transactions involving government property through unauthorized individuals, groups, or syndicates.

He advised members of the public to verify all land allocations through the Ministry of Lands and Survey and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry before making any payments or taking possession of property.

Fintiri emphasized that any transaction involving government land that does not pass through approved channels remains null and void, warning that victims of fraudulent transactions would not be compensated by the government.

“Let it be clear: any transaction on Government land that does not pass through the approved channels is null and void. Buyers risk forfeiting both the land and their money, as Government will not pay compensation to victims of fraud,” the governor warned.

The state government said the action was necessary to protect public assets, restore order in public markets, strengthen urban planning regulations, and prevent the loss of government revenue through unauthorized land dealings.

The directive takes immediate effect, with authorities expected to begin enforcement and recovery operations across the affected sections of the market in the coming days.