Residents of Gulumbe village in Kebbi State’s Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area request Governor Nasir Idris’ immediate response to stop the alleged forcible seizure of their arable lands.
Abubakar Tafidan-Gulumbe, a community representative, addressed journalists in Gulumbe on Tuesday.
We have farmed these lands, some of which we inherited from our forefathers, for generations. Suddenly, a man named Mustapha Sani-Zauro appeared with powerful machinery and began clearing our farmland without our traditional leaders’ prior notice or consent, according to Tafidan-Gulumbe.
He further claimed that Sani-Zauro claimed he was acting for the Governor’s family when Sani-Zauro was confronted.
Tafidan-Gulumbe reaffirmed that “we completely reject this assertion.” We are confident that Governor Idris, a man known for his integrity, will never support such illegal behavior or permit its family to participate in them.
Read more about the Kebbi State Government’s claim that it abused courts to intimidate political opponents
He praised the governor’s character, saying that “Governor Idris had a reputation for honesty and piety even before taking office.”
He “acquired land through legal means whenever he needed it.” He once purchased a plot from me, in fact.
Over 180 farmers were affected by the alleged land encroachment, which Tafidan-Gulumbe described as devastating, and over 30 million lost to the cause of crop losses of millet, groundnuts, maize, and guinea corn.
We already planted crops worth more than $30 million during this rainy season. He lamented that now everything is in danger.
The Gulumbe farming community is sincerely pressing Governor Idris for protection and justice in response to the crisis.
We are requesting the Governor’s assistance in protecting our farmland as peace-loving citizens. We rely on his leadership and remain committed to his administration, Tafidan-Gulumbe continued.
He also disclosed the community’s plans to use traditional and legal means of resolution to stop further unrest.
The Gulumbe District will inform the Emirate Council of the formal petitions that our attorneys will submit to security agencies. This will prevent young people or farmers from becoming themselves. Additionally, he continued, “we have informed our Ward Councilor and the State Assembly representative.”
Source: Channels TV
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