Firm accuses Kano govt of taking over N2bn land for AKK project

By Salisu Hamisu Ali –– A manufacturing company, A.B Jan Ruwa Enterprises, has accused the Kano State Government of taking over more than four hectares of its land in Chalawa town, Kumbotso Local Government Area, and allocating it for an industrial layout linked to the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK, gas pipeline project.

The company’s manager, Abdullahi Hashimu, made the allegation while briefing journalists in Kano on Thursday.

Mr Hashimu said the company acquired the land, valued at about N2 billion, through successive transactions with local farmers over the past six years for the expansion of its manufacturing operations and establishment of a large-scale factory and spinning mill.

He alleged that the management of the company was taken by surprise when it discovered that some people, who identified themselves as government officials, had commenced fencing the land without formally notifying the company.

According to him, the officials told him that the land was part of an industrial layout being developed in connection with the AKK project.

He said the development had left the company with less than one hectare of its original property, while the government proposed dividing the remaining land into smaller plots.

Mr Hashimu, however, said the proposed arrangement would frustrate the company’s expansion plans, which require a large expanse of land for its manufacturing operations.

“We explained to the government that we wanted to establish a bigger factory that would serve many people in Kano, but they said they wanted to divide the land into plots of 100 by 100 or 50 by 50 feet.

“We brought big machines from China. Instead of continuing to import yarn from China, we want to manufacture it here. But this development has scuttled our plans,” he said.

The manager disclosed that the company currently employs about 500 workers directly, while another 500 people benefit indirectly from its operations.

He added that the proposed expansion was expected to create employment opportunities for about 2,000 people, including local and foreign workers.

Mr Hashimu said the project would enable the company to manufacture different types of yarn locally, reducing its dependence on imports from China.

Speaking on the matter, the company’s lawyer, Umar Muhammad, said the firm had petitioned the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning over what he described as an unlawful encroachment and purported compulsory acquisition of its property.

Mr Muhammad said the company approached the ministry and relevant government officials after discovering that activities had commenced on the land without any formal communication or notice.

He disclosed that a petition dated November 3, 2026, was submitted to the ministry, with copies sent to other relevant government authorities.

According to him, government officials attributed the development to the AKK project, which was gazetted in 2018.

However, he said the company’s investigation showed that the gazetted pipeline route terminated at Tamburawa River and did not cover the disputed property.

“The AKK pipeline stopped at Tamburawa River, while what the state government is planning to do is an industrial layout, and that was not covered under the 2018 gazette,” he said.

The lawyer argued that if the government intended to establish an industrial layout, existing manufacturing companies should be given priority to expand their businesses rather than having their properties taken over.

He said the company was demanding that the government allow it to retain the land for its proposed industrial project or provide appropriate compensation in accordance with the law.