By Correspondent in Minna.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council, has called for stronger collaboration between government, estate agents, and security agencies to curb the rising wave of crime and criminality in the state.
The Chairman of the Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu, made the appeal when he received members of the Association of Estate Agents, Niger State chapter, at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Pen House, Minna.
Nmodu expressed deep concern over the growing sophistication of criminals, stressing that proactive measures were needed to stop them from taking advantage of residential properties, especially in Minna and its environs.
He noted that estate agents play a critical role in monitoring rented properties to ensure they are not used as hideouts by criminal elements. According to him, the agents’ unique position enables them to scrutinize potential tenants, identify individuals of questionable character, and prevent criminals from occupying houses.
The NUJ chairman recalled instances where the government demolished buildings discovered to be harboring criminals.
He emphasized that if estate agents strictly vetted clients, property owners would no longer risk losing their investments in such circumstances.
While urging the agents to uphold professional ethics and avoid practices that exploit tenants, Nmodu encouraged them to embark on sensitization campaigns to enlighten the public about their legitimate operations.
He also pledged the Union’s support in giving visibility to their activities and strengthening public trust in their services.
Earlier, the State Vice President of the Association, Mr. Musa Kuchi, said the visit was aimed at building synergy with journalists for effective service delivery.
Kuchi explained that the association, established in 1980 and formally registered in 2012, now has functional branches across all 25 local government areas of Niger State, disclosing that the association had begun a membership validation exercise to weed out impostors posing as land and property agents.
He noted that genuine practitioners were issued identification cards and membership certificates, and called on the media to support the association in its efforts to rid the industry of fraudsters.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
