No less than 5,000 traders around the Idi mosque zone of Kano will lose their shops following a stopped notice served by the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA).
The chairman of the traders association, Yakubu Muhammad, said this on Tuesday amid a news conference.
KNUPDA had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the traders at the mosque on IBB Way within Kano city to vacate the zone or confront the law’s wrath.
Mr Muhammad reviewed that the place was allocated to them over 18 years back 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 phone snatching and other immortal activities being perpetrated at the places,” he said.
He said past administrations had found it necessary to permit the traders to continue to operate in the zone.
“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 traders did not understand why the government was sending them packing even as they were law-abiding and contributed to the state’s internally generated revenue.
“We are still trying to come to terms with the exact offence we committed that prompted KNUPDA to chase us from where we run our lawful businesses to fend for our family.
“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 Senator Abba Yusuf to intercede and spare their businesses from looming ruins.
When contacted, a source at KNUPDA who pleaded anonymity confirmed that the agency had ordered the traders to vacate the space because they were illegally occupying it.
“KNUPDA feels that the traders did not seek permission from it before starting businesses there. That is why the authority issued the quit notice. They are illegally operating at the place.” said the source.
