By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) has kept mute on the news of the arrest, earlier today, Monday, October 11, 2021, of its Director General Ismail Umaru Dikko, by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Authority only reacted to rumours being circulated on social media which have been quoting conflicting numbers of the structures that were removed during its recent demolition exercise.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Executive (PRE) of the Authority, Nuhu Garba, on Monday, said that the entire Grace Land has the total of 395.5 hectares in which 337 hectares would be regularized.

The Agency clarified that 160 houses were removed at Grace Land, Sabon Gari, Zaria.

It further stated that the 160 buildings which were removed were located at the rest 58.5 hectares.

According to the statement, the removal exercise was done after the expiration of 24 hours notice was served on the owners of the property.

The release also recalled that the area where the removal exercise was undertaken falls within the area where demolition notices were issued in 2011, 2014 and 2020.

The Public Relations Executive further recalled that a complaint was made by the Nigerian College of Aviation (NCAT), Zaria on their encroached land since 2011.

“The encroachment, NCAT told Kaduna State Government, prevented the management from expanding and fencing the school.

“In view of this, and in line with the State Government’s Urban Renewal Initiative and in the compliance with High Court Order of Zaria Division, the Authority removed the unapproved developments between Sunday/Monday, 3-4/10/2021,” the statement noted.