Banire Raises Alarm: Land Grabbers Now Using Thugs, Security Personnel To Seize Property

Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, has raised the alarm over the growing activities of land grabbers, warning that the seizure of legitimately acquired properties through force and intimidation is increasingly undermining public confidence in property rights and the justice system.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Banire said the menace had reached a disturbing level, with some individuals allegedly using thugs and other forms of coercion to dispossess lawful property owners.

He stressed that the situation requires urgent intervention by government, warning that continued failure to address the problem could weaken citizens’ confidence in property ownership, law enforcement and the administration of justice.

Banire noted that acquiring land remains a major financial commitment for many Nigerians, with individuals often using years of savings, loans, cooperative contributions, family resources or inherited assets to secure property.

He said it was therefore troubling that after legitimate owners had paid for land, obtained relevant documentation and, in some cases, commenced development, individuals could suddenly appear with claims of ownership and attempt to take possession through force.

According to him, genuine disputes over property ownership should be resolved through the courts, where parties can present title documents, survey plans, evidence and other relevant materials before an impartial judge.

However, Banire warned that some land grabbers allegedly bypass lawful procedures and resort to intimidation, including the use of thugs to invade properties, destroy fences and structures, assault workers and chase away artisans.

He said the situation becomes even more concerning when security personnel are allegedly enlisted to support questionable property claims.

Banire expressed concern that some civil disputes are being transformed into criminal allegations, resulting in legitimate property owners being invited, arrested or detained over issues that should ordinarily be resolved through civil proceedings.

He stressed that law enforcement agencies have a responsibility to intervene where genuine crimes such as assault, violence, forgery or destruction of property occur, but warned against allowing the police or other security agencies to become instruments for determining ownership disputes.

“The police station cannot substitute for the land registry or the courtroom,” Banire’s position implies, stressing that security agencies should resist being drawn into adjudicating civil property disputes.

The legal expert also warned that land grabbing has evolved beyond the traditional image of individuals using physical force, saying some operations now allegedly involve lawyers, surveyors, document processors and other collaborators.

He raised particular concern over the alleged use of forged or manipulated documents, including purported court judgments, in property disputes.

Banire said the fabrication or alteration of court judgments represents a serious threat to the integrity of the justice system because judicial decisions are expected to be among the most trusted documents in the administration of justice.

He called for the development of secure technological platforms that would enable lawyers, litigants, financial institutions, government agencies and members of the public to independently verify the authenticity of court judgments and orders.

He also advocated reforms in the survey system, noting that allegations involving fake, overlapping or manipulated survey plans have contributed to property disputes and fraudulent claims.

According to Banire, survey authorities should modernise their verification systems to allow coordinates, survey numbers and other property information to be authenticated quickly and efficiently.

He similarly called for comprehensive reforms of land registries, including digitisation of property records, faster title searches and improved systems for verifying registered interests and existing encumbrances.

Banire argued that Geographic Information Systems should be integrated with land registration databases to make property information more transparent and allow prospective buyers to identify existing claims or restrictions before completing transactions.

He warned that weak, fragmented or outdated land administration systems create opportunities for fraud, including multiple sales of the same property, manipulation of records and the disappearance or alteration of genuine documents.

The legal expert further cautioned against the misuse of judicial processes by individuals seeking to obtain orders that could affect property owners who were not given an opportunity to present their side of the case.

He urged courts to exercise particular caution in cases involving possession, demolition and eviction, especially where such orders could have irreversible consequences.

Banire maintained that while the courts remain the appropriate avenue for resolving genuine property disputes, the judicial process must not itself become a tool for professional land grabbers.

He called for stronger institutional safeguards, technological reforms and greater vigilance across the land administration and justice systems to protect legitimate property owners and restore public confidence in the rule of law.