Landlord seeks justice as security operatives occupy house for 11 years

By Babangida Abdullahi, Gusau

A landlord in Sakajiki, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Suleiman Yunusa, has appealed to the state government to address his complaint over the occupation of his house by security personnel for about 11 years without payment of rent.

Yunusa said the security personnel had remained in the property since 2015, following an initial arrangement under which the house was temporarily made available to them for two months without rent.

He said the arrangement had continued beyond the agreed period, leaving him without rent or compensation for the use of his property.

Documents obtained on the matter show that the Zamfara State Ministry for Security and Home Affairs investigated the complaint in 2022 after receiving a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

In a report dated November 2, 2022, the ministry said it had examined relevant documents and visited the property in Sakajiki to establish the circumstances surrounding the dispute.

The report identified the property as a fenced residential building measuring 50 by 100 feet, comprising a four-bedroom flat, fence and gate, and belonging to Yunusa.

It stated that security personnel had occupied the house for seven years without paying rent as of the time of the investigation.

The ministry also reported that the Sole Administrator of Kaura Namoda Local Government at the time, Alhaji Nasiru Altine Yakamata, was aware of the presence of the security personnel in the property.

According to the report, the original arrangement was for the security personnel to occupy the house rent-free for two months on compassionate grounds.

However, the ministry said there had been no attempt to purchase the property or relocate the occupants after the agreed period expired.

The report further noted that the landlord had no written agreement covering the transaction, apart from the verbal understanding that the house would be borrowed for two months.

The ministry forwarded its findings to the SSG for consideration and further necessary action.

However, in his latest appeal, Yunusa said the security personnel were still occupying the property as of 2026, while his demand for payment or compensation remained unresolved.

He appealed to relevant authorities and members of the public to intervene and help him recover his entitlement.