From Joseph Adahnu, Yola
The land racketeers dealers in Adamawa state, met terminal points as state Government has remanded 200. This includs staff of Ministry of Land and Survey, to various correctional centers across the state for their roles in fraudulent land dealings.
Disclosing this to members of the Correspondent’s chapel, Yola, Adamawa state, the Commissioner for Land and Survey, Chief Joab Shaman, described it as a major step toward restoring public trust.
Shama, credited the success of the clampdown to the unwavering support and political will of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, whose administration has made land reform a cornerstone of its governance agenda.
He revealed that prior to his tenure, land racketeering was rampant, with single plots in metropolitan areas often allocated to as many as four different buyers, each holding seemingly authentic documents.
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Shama, highlighted how insiders within the ministry, colluded with external actors to exploit unsuspecting land seekers.
The crackdown, which has already led to the incarceration of offenders, including a legal practitioner caught cloning ministry files, has brought significant order to the system. Shama added that the arrests serve as a deterrent to those undermining due process for personal gain.
Sahma said, “So many of such people are now in jail. This is what the governor insists we must do to sanitize the system and make land available to genuine seekers.”
The commissioner revealed that over one million plots of land have been allocated under Governor Fintiri’s administration, this, includes retired and serving Military Generals from the State, as a gesture of appreciation for their service to Nigeria.
To address past injustices, Sahma assured residents whose plots were revoked or entangled in disputes, that government is actively working to reallocate them to conflict-free areas.
Sahma reiterated that, “Our priority is to ensure every deserving citizen has access to land ownership without unnecessary stress or litigation”.
Adding that, the ministry’s efforts are further bolstered by technological advancements, including the 2024 launch of a digital archive system and the acquisition of AI-capable Xenox Enterprise scanners and 30 all-in-one computers under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) initiative.
These tools aim to enhance transparency and efficiency in land record management, aligning with Governor Fintiri’s vision for modern governance.
He maintained the ministry’s resolve to sustain these reforms, declaring that land racketeering will no longer be tolerated in Adamawa State. The crackdown not only addresses a long-standing issue but also sets a precedent for accountable land governance, fostering hope among residents for a fairer and more accessible system.
