By Our Reporter
Residents of the Kano Aviation Quarters have accused the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) management of alleged intimidation, harassment, and forceful, illegal eviction from their properties, which they legally obtained through the Federal Government’s policy implemented by the Presidency Implementation Committee of the Whitepaper on the Commission of Inquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Landed Property.
Presidential Implementatio Committee, (PIC)
The Implementation Committee of the Whitepaper on the Commission of Inquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Landed Property in Nigeria was established to investigate and address issues surrounding the disposal of federal government landed assets.
At the turn of the millennium, the Federal Government decided to dispose of its non-core landed assets across the federation, leading to the setup of various committees, including this implementation committee.
Read Also: Kano Community Petitions KNUPDA Over Unlawful Road Closure
The committee’s primary focus was on the alienation of federal government landed property, which involved investigating cases of illegal or irregular disposal of these assets. The committee’s work led to the recovery of several properties and the regularization of titles for legitimate occupants.
The Implementation Committee of the Whitepaper on the Commission of Inquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Landed Property played a crucial role in addressing issues surrounding federal government landed assets in Nigeria. Its work helped to promote transparency and accountability in the management of these assets.
Complainants
Speaking to Justice Watch News on Sunday, one of the property occupants, who pleaded anonymity, said he legally obtained the property pursuant to the Federal Government’s policy of leasing its landed properties to occupants who fulfill all criteria and follow the laid-down procedures as outlined by the Presidential Implementation Committee.
Read Also: FAAN closes Lagos Int’l Airport for 8 Weeks
He also stated that the decision of the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) is beyond the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), as it was based on a presidential white paper regarding federal government landed property.
Furthermore, he explained that after receiving the offer, he made the payment via Remita into a dedicated Treasury Single Account (TSA), in line with federal government policy.
“If FAAN has any issues regarding the leasing of the Aviation Property, they should first sort it out with the Federal Government before coming to us. They lack any legal backing to forcibly evict me from my property. I have carefully read the FAAN Condition of Service from cover to cover and see no provision stating the use of force to evict occupants. I challenge the Management of FAAN to produce gazetted documents that grant them the power to use FAAN security outside airport territory to enforce eviction. Nigeria is a civilized nation with laid-down procedures for eviction. The proper procedure involves going to court, obtaining a court order, and having the sheriff or police, who are law enforcement agencies, carry out the eviction – not FAAN security, which is not a law enforcement agency. Their power is limited to within the airport territory. However, the Kano Aviation Quarters is located several kilometers outside the airport.” He explained.
Allegations of Intimidation, Harassment, and Use of Force.
“A long time after obtaining the offer from the Presidency, the FAAN management issued a memo to its staff living in the Aviation Quarters, directing them to submit documents regarding the lease. However, I am not a staff member of FAAN, and their circular is neither applicable nor binding on me”
The complainant alleged that on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, the FAAN management started demolishing some properties and carved out parts of the residences, ordering people to vacate. Although according to him, they threatened to return and continue the demolition after Eid-al-Fitr, hence, they came back with about 15 personnel, led by the Human Resources department. ” I was not around; they met my wife. They threatened to evict her from my property. She resisted, and they instilled trauma and panic in my family. As I speak to you now, she has not fully recovered from the psychological fear caused by their actions.” He alleged.
Read Also: Publication on Eviction of Retired Army Officer Misleading – NA
Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals Petitioned Managing Director FAAN
The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals has petitioned Managing Director of the FAAN urging her to intervene in the ongoing issue that led to the management to issued query to FAAN staff benefited from PIC leasing in Kano Aviation Quarters.
In a letter sighted by Justice Watch News, dated 19th March 2025, and addressed to the Managing Director of FAAN, the caption reads: ‘Victimization of Staff, Kano FAAN Quarters’
Detail of the petition
We bring you fraternal greetings from our great Union to you and your Management team.
In view of the recent development, it has become necessary to bring to your notice the action take by FAAN Management to query some of our members living in FAAN Kano quarters for acquiring
their own quarters through the Presidential implementation Committee.(PIC).
The Unions considered this as an act of victimization, Oppression and Intimidation to FAAN Staff concerned, because the sales of Kano outside quarters affected all other Agencies, including NAMA and Nimet, but rather than querying their own staff, they were issued letter of congratulations by their respective Agencies for not rejecting the policy of first Right offer of Refusal by PIC.
Read Also: Flights Resume at Aminu Kano International Airport After Max Air Incident
Therefore, in principle of equity and fairness, the Unions want to urge the FAAN Management to
drop the idea of punishing only FAAN Staff for a joint action taken by all the Agencies.
We equally want to advice FAAN Management to resolve this issue through the Ministry, since it
cuts across other sister Agencies.
It is our hope and believe that the Management of FAAN will withdraw the purported query issued
to our members in the interest of peace, equity and justice on the above subject matter.
While thanking you in anticipation, please kindly accept our best regards.
Yours Sincerely.
Signed
Comrade Abdurrasaq Saidu
Secretary General ANAP
Management of FAAN Responses
When contacted, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Manager, Mr. Amadu Danjuma, denied all allegations against the FAAN management. Although newly transferred to Kano, having been there for only three weeks, he maintained that the allegations were unfounded.
According to him, although the implementation of leasing out federal government landed property was a policy, he noted that the Aviation Quarters were excluded due to their proximity and security concerns related to airport premises.
He refuted claims that the FAAN management was not involved in the leasing, stressing that it had come to their knowledge only after the process was completed.
He added that the management issued a circular directing all staff to return their offers to the management for scrutiny, stating they did not comply with the directive.
He pointed out that the form had a column for the employer’s signature and countersignature, but nobody submitted their form to their employer.
He affirmed that the Aviation Quarters comprised staff from the aviation sector and that only FAAN staff were involved.
He refuted the claim that occupants were forcibly evicted without being given 2-3 weeks’ notice to vacate the properties.
“As the former head of the eviction committee for FAAN properties at the headquarters, I am well-versed in the procedure. The use of FAAN Security to evict staff from property is in order, as it is FAAN property. In doing so, we respect the rights of the individuals” The Manager maintained.
Media Responsibity
As the eviction standoff between Management if and occupants of the Kano Aviation Quarters continues to unfold, Justice Watch News will provide you with further updates on the developing situation.
