GOMBE, Nigeria — Gombe State Geographic Information Systems reclaimed 4.3 hectares of public land Friday in the Shehu Abubakar District, an upscale estate in the state capital. Dr. Kabir Usman Hassan, director general of GOGIS, announced the recovery during an inspection tour with his management team.

The land grab involved 2.6 hectares set aside for public use, which encroachers subdivided into private plots and sold without permission. Another 1.7 hectares fell victim to overreach by individuals who held titles for 3,500 square meters but occupied more than 7,000 square meters, according to Hassan.

Encroachers targeted access roads, road setbacks, open spaces and spots designated for schools, health facilities, security posts and recreational centers. GOGIS officials moved swiftly to revert the properties to state control as part of a broader crackdown on illegal land dealings in the district.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya ordered allocations of the recovered land to key institutions, including the State Emergency Management Agency, Bank of Industry and West African Examinations Council. Priority went to affected titleholders who presented proper documentation, Hassan said.

The state approved a 70 percent waiver on land charges for old allottees. GOGIS worked to assign them new plots near their original locations, smoothing the relocation process.

Hassan described the district’s transformation. The government built 20.5 kilometers of roads to boost accessibility. A N3.98 billion erosion control project tackled 7.5 kilometers of gullies stretching from Gombe International Hotel to Nayi-Nawa. Those measures aim to prevent flooding, safeguard infrastructure and support long-term development.

GOGIS now positions Shehu Abubakar as a secure, orderly hub ready for investment. Paved streets, erosion barriers and modern layouts meet urban demands while protecting against environmental threats, officials said. The upgrades should draw businesses, lift living standards and set a standard for planning across Gombe State.

The administration plans to extend the model to other areas. Titleholders face a strict deadline: develop plots within six months or lose them to forfeiture, Hassan warned.

This push marks a fresh start in urban renewal. Officials credit Governor Yahaya’s directives for the progress. Buyers caught in the illegal sales now have a path forward through verified claims and waived fees.

Land disputes have long plagued Nigeria’s growing cities. Gombe’s action highlights tensions between rapid urbanization and enforcement of zoning laws. Similar recoveries could follow in districts facing unchecked expansion.