By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri
The Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) has cautioned residents of Maiduguri and neighbouring communities to update their land documents to avoid losing ownership of their properties.
The Executive Secretary of BOGIS, Engr. Adam Bababe, gave the warning in Maiduguri on Monday during the launch of a community sensitisation and documentation campaign tagged “Bringing Land Governance Closer to the People.”
Bababe expressed concern over the increasing cases of unapproved constructions, particularly soakaways and drainage systems built on public roads, describing the practice as illegal and dangerous.
According to him, many residents still occupy lands and houses registered in the names of the original allottees without updating their records, warning that such negligence could lead to ownership disputes.
Executive Secretary of BOGIS, Engr. Adam Bababe, addressing Pompomari residents in Maiduguri on Monday during the launch of a community sensitisation and documentation campaign.
Photo by Atiku Galadima.
“Several properties still carry the names of the first allottees. It is the duty of the current owners to update those records. If they fail to do so, they risk losing ownership rights”.
“We have observed that some residents construct soakaways and other illegal structures on public roads and drainage channels. This is not only unlawful but also harmful to the environment and public safety,” Bababe stated.
He explained that the agency now operates a digital land management system that produces a single verifiable copy of each land title, with all data safely archived in the cloud to prevent forgery or duplication.
He dismissed speculations that the agency was taking over people’s lands, describing such allegations as unfounded and politically motivated.
“Before the creation of BOGIS, during the time of the former Ministry of Lands, multiple copies of Certificates of Occupancy were produced and kept in different offices. Some individuals exploited that system to sell fake copies to unsuspecting buyers,” he explained.
Bababe said the ongoing exercise aims to educate residents on the need to regularise their land ownership documents and comply with approved building regulations in support of the state’s urban renewal programme.
“Presenting a forged or stolen file copy does not make one the rightful owner of a property. Our responsibility is to correct these irregularities and ensure transparency in land governance,” he added.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and property owners to support the sensitisation campaign by reporting illegal developments and encouraging compliance with land regulations.
“Our goal is to promote orderly development and strengthen public confidence in land administration. Transparent governance is key to peace, investment and sustainable growth in the state,” Bababe said.
A community leader in Pompomari, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, commended the sensitisation drive, describing it as a timely step towards resolving land disputes and improving public understanding of land documentation in Maiduguri.