Residents of Rimin Auzinawa Quarters in Tudun Yola C, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State have accused a resident, Magaji Isyaka Maihula, of illegally blocking a public access road and appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to intervene in the dispute.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, counsel to the community, Barr. Aminu Garba Sabonsara, alleged that Maihula converted a public access road into private property by installing a solid gate and restricting the movement of residents.
Sabonsara explained that residents had agreed to install security gates at entry points following the growing insecurity across the North-West, adding that Maihula volunteered to provide one of the gates.
According to him, after installing the gate, Maihula allegedly changed the padlock, denied other residents access to the road and claimed ownership of the public access route.
The lawyer said the action had created security concerns, alleging that unknown persons were sometimes brought into the community through the restricted entrance during late-night hours.
He further claimed that the blockade had hindered the free movement of residents, obstructed emergency access and exposed the community to security risks.
Sabonsara disclosed that the matter was reported to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone One Headquarters, Kano, where both parties reached an agreement on June 15, 2026.
He said under the agreement, Maihula undertook to remove the solid gate, restore the original see-through gate between June 16 and June 22, provide the community vigilante with a key, and ensure the gate remained open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
The counsel, however, alleged that Maihula failed to comply with the agreement.
Instead, he said, Maihula instituted criminal proceedings against some community members before a Chief Magistrate Court in Nomansland, accusing them of threatening his life.
Sabonsara also alleged that despite a court order directing that no resident should be arrested or detained while police investigations were ongoing, one of the community members, Ibrahim Lawal Musa, was arrested and detained by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, before he was released following the intervention of the Kano State Commissioner of Police.
He appealed to Governor Yusuf to order the immediate reopening of the public access road, enforce compliance with the agreement reached at the AIG’s office and direct a thorough investigation into the matter.
According to him, the residents remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the dispute and are willing to cooperate with any panel or committee set up by the state government to restore peace and uphold the rule of law.
However, when contacted, Magaji Isyaka Maihula denied the allegations, insisting that the disputed access road had been demarcated from his plot of land.
He accused the residents of being envious of his wealth and maintained that he had done nothing wrong.
