Kano government closes petrol station near school over safety concerns

The Kano State government sealed a gas station situated near a school on Gwarzo Road on Monday, citing safety concerns. The closure is part of a broader effort to remove illegal structures throughout the state.

Dr Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, Director‑General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), led the enforcement team that carried out the action. He said the facility posed a serious risk to schoolchildren and nearby residents.

“This is very serious. When you talk about a school, there are many children there. Anything can happen, so we have to stop it immediately,” he said.

The sealing follows the removal of roughly 15 illegal buildings in various parts of Kano, including areas around Sokoto Road, the Yahaya Gusau axis, NNDC Quarters and Rijiyar Zaki.

According to Dr Sani, “These are structures that don’t have the required documents, especially building permits and title documents.”

He added that some of the structures were built under high‑tension power lines, on waterways and in other restricted zones, describing the trend as dangerous and a violation of urban planning laws.

“Some buildings are under the national grid, some are on waterways. There is a lot of encroachment, and this is not acceptable,” he stated.

Dr Sani explained that the enforcement drive, named “Operation Show Your Documents,” aims to ensure all property owners comply with government regulations.

“The only thing we ask is for people to come and show their documents. If everything is okay, we will unseal the property. We don’t demand money or award penalties,” he said.

He emphasized that the exercise is necessary to support ongoing development projects in the state, including road construction and the installation of streetlights.

“Kano is growing very fast due to migration and business activities. We need people to follow the rules so we can build a modern city we will all be proud of in the future,” he added.

The committee also revisited an already sealed illegal structure located at Kantin Kwari Market near the fire service area.