PHOTOS: Tension as FAAN demolishes properties, vows to eject occupants at Kano aviation quarters

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has carried out a demolition exercise at the Aviation Quarters along Airport Road in Kano, removing structures within the estate.

The demolition, which took place on Wednesday afternoon, was executed by FAAN’s task force.

Reacting to the demolition, residents of the quarters expressed outrage, describing the exercise as illegal.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Obadaki Muhammad Mustafa, a staff member of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and secretary of the Aviation Quarters Committee, asserted that they legally purchased the properties from the federal government and possessed valid documents to prove ownership.

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“This Aviation Quarters was approved for sale by the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC). Since 2011, we have been engaging with the committee following similar sales of properties at Bukavu Aviation Quarters and along Jaba Road between 2007 and 2008. After a lengthy process, we finally secured federal government approval in 2021 and were able to purchase these houses legally,” Mustafa explained.

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He further stated, “We have three agencies residing in this estate: FAAN, NAMA, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). However, FAAN has been resisting the sale despite it being in line with the government’s monetization policy, which has been in place since 2003. Today’s demolition and eviction exercise were carried out despite our formal objections.”

”Most of us have paid and purchased these houses legally with receipts from the federal government.”

”We are all given allocation letters by the federal government, and we have paid into the account of federal government.”

”These are our papers and receipts which are up to date, is FAAN not a federal government agency?”

”Why would FAAN not contact the Presidential Implementation Committee but rather threaten staff to relinquish the properties we have paid for?

Mustafa criticized FAAN’s approach, saying, “We had notified them in writing, and we have an acknowledgement of receipt. Given that we hold valid ownership documents, FAAN, as a government agency, should have followed due process by engaging with its parent ministry and the presidency to verify the legitimacy of our claims.”

According to him, the demolition came as a shock to the residents. “We want the public to be aware of what is happening. FAAN’s management is acting against an established government policy and disregarding our legal rights as homeowners,” he added.

When contacted by SolaceBase, FAAN defended the demolition and ejection exercise. The Acting Regional General Manager, Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Ahmed Danjuma stated that the Aviation Quarters were originally designated as institutional duty houses for airport staff and should not have been sold without FAAN’s consent, though the properties belong to the federal government.

According to him, FAAN was not consulted before the Presidential Implementation Committee initiated the sales, and the authority only became aware of the transactions through unofficial sources.

“These quarters were built over 35 years ago specifically for aviation workers to ensure safety, security, and operational efficiency at the airport. However, some individuals approached PIC and purchased the properties under the monetization policy without FAAN’s involvement,” he stated.

The FAAN official further alleged that some of its staff who acquired the houses illegally resold them to third parties, leading to unauthorized extensions and modifications.

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“FAAN was acting on directives from its headquarters to reclaim the properties and prevent further unauthorized transactions. We issued notices to the affected individuals to vacate, but after weeks of noncompliance, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had no choice but to proceed with the demolition,” he explained.

‘’Some of the staff that claimed that they bought the properties have been transferred, hence how could the houses be their own.’’

The situation remains tense as affected residents insist they have legal ownership of the properties, while FAAN maintains its stance that the sales were unauthorized.

The dispute may now be settled in court, as the residents seek to challenge FAAN’s actions through legal means.