No fewer than 5,000 traders around the Idi mosque area of Kano will lose their shops following a quit notice served to them by the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA).
The chairman of the traders’ association, Yakubu Muhammad, said this on Tuesday during a news conference.
KNUPDA had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the traders at the mosque located on IBB Way in the Kano metropolis to vacate the area or face the wrath of the law.
Mr. Muhammad recalled that the place was allocated to them over 18 years ago by the late Galadima of Kano, Tijjani Hashim, through the Emirate Council.
“The place was allocated to our members to check the various criminal activities such as phone snatching and other immoral activities being perpetrated at the place,” he said.
He said previous administrations in the state had found it necessary to allow the traders to continue operating in the area.
“We are many here, mostly youths. How can you attempt to separate these guys from their businesses? You know this will portend danger for the state,” he said.
Mr. Muhammad said the traders did not understand why the government was sending them packing even though they were law-abiding and contributed to the state’s internally generated revenue.
“We are still trying to come to terms with the exact offense we committed that prompted KNUPDA to chase us from where we run our lawful businesses to fend for our families.
“We supported this government. We voted for it during the 2023 election. The best empowerment this government can give us is to allow us to continue with our businesses at the Masallacin Idi,” he said.
He urged Governor Abba Yusuf to intervene and save their businesses from looming ruin.
When contacted, a source at KNUPDA who pleaded anonymity confirmed that the agency has ordered the traders to vacate the place because they were illegally occupying the space.
“KNUPDA feels that the traders did not seek permission from it before starting business there. That is why the authority issued the quit notice. They are illegally operating at the place,” said the source.
NAN
