By joshua 
KOGI GOVT: ALL LAND TRANSACTIONS MUST BE VERIFIED BY BUREAU OF LANDS – GOVERNOR ODODO MOVES TO STOP ILLEGAL LAND ALLOCATION IN KOGI
Public Notice!
… All land transactions must be verified through Bureau of Lands as Ododo administration moves to restore order
The Kogi State Government has raised alarm over widespread encroachment on government-acquired land layouts across the 21 Local Government Areas, particularly in Lokoja and its environs, and warned that offenders will face prosecution and forfeiture of illegally occupied plots.
In a public notice issued on Friday, the government said community leaders, traditional institutions, land speculators, and other individuals have been illegally selling and allocating government land without approval.
It stressed that all government layouts have been duly acquired since the creation of the state, with compensation already paid to rightful beneficiaries through the Kogi State Bureau of Lands.
STRICT MEASURES ANNOUNCED
To restore sanity in land administration, the government outlined immediate enforcement measures:
– Arrests and Prosecution: Security agencies have been directed to arrest anyone selling, buying, or encroaching on government layouts by any means. Offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
– Mandatory Verification: All land transactions in the state must now be verified with the Kogi State Bureau of Lands to confirm that the plot is not under government interest.
– Approval Required: Any allocation by community leaders, traditional institutions, or other individuals must receive prior approval from the Bureau of Lands as directed by Governor Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo.
– Revalidation of Documents: All existing documents issued by community leaders or other parties must be presented to the Bureau of Lands for validation. Failure to revalidate will result in forfeiture, revocation, and immediate reallocation of the land.
CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
The government emphasized that Lokoja and its environs, within a 16km radius, are under the exclusive control of the State Government. No community is permitted to possess or sell land in the area without consent from the Bureau of Lands.
It also cautioned the public against dealing with middlemen, noting that they are not recognized by the Bureau of Lands, and urged citizens to seek official information before engaging in any land transaction.
The notice listed 14 specific locations currently affected by encroachment, including Gadumo, (TPS 12, 23, 048, 54, 111, 112, 112ExtA), 61 Otokiti/Zango (TPS 23), Opposite CBN (TPS 33), Ganaja (TPS 048, 64, 68BExt), TPS Essential Stores axis opposite the State Secretariat Junction Zone 8 (TPS 50), and Isegba/Bako (TPS 61, 62). 118, 119, 113 Jimgbe, Felele. TPS 149, 155. 156, 164, 165, 167, 168, 170, 171,172, 173,174, 178,181,182. TPS 33 Along Hassan Katsina Road opposite CBN and TPS 50 Along Hassan Katsina Road opposite State Secretariate Store Zone 8. Others are TPS 188, 189, 192, 194, 195,
199, 200, 202, 204, 208/209, 13/197, 17, 2 12, 190, 003BN, 183, TPO178 at Idah up Inachalo, Eika/Adavi, Lokongoma, Ankpa, Kabba,Okene
The government warned that communities and individuals continuing to encroach on these layouts risk severe legal consequences and immediate action by security agencies.
For inquiries and verification, the public is advised to contact the Kogi State Bureau of Lands.