Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed in a group photograph with members of the Committee
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Traditional rulers at all levels in Bauchi state have been strongly warned to desist from land use abuse and indiscriminate allocation or risk losing their position.
The stern warning was handed down by Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir who also warned local government officials to steer clear of land abuse and allocation or get sanctioned saying that, “enough is enough on the issue of land allocation racketeering”.
The governor gave the warning on Thursday while inaugurating a 45-member Committee to implement Government White Paper on the report of the administrative committee on land disputes between herders and farmers caused by land use abuse and illegal allocation in the 20 local government areas of the state.
Bala Mohammed said that the warning was imperative as the administrative committee’s report established the fact that clashes between herders and farmers were as a result of activities of some traditional rulers, state and local government officials who indiscriminately allocate land to individuals.
He lamented that the traditional rulers and government officials used their privilege position to illegally de- reserve and allocate same for agricultural purposes, thus depriving herders of where to graze their animals.
The governor added that the officials have been illegally turning cattle routes to farms which block the passage of herders and their animals stressing that this action is a recipe for herders/farmers clashes with their attendant loss of lives and properties.
He further warned that anyone found to be involved in illegal land deal would incur the full wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed or connected such a person may be.
The inauguration of the committee headed by a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Usman, according to the governor, was a testimony of the state government’s sincerity and commitment of to sanitise land use and allocation in the state.
Bala Mohammed also said that the committee is to implement all the government’s positions as contained in the White Paper on the report of the administrative committee of inquiry on land disputes as well as to identify those responsible for the abuse of allocation at both state and local government levels and to recommend appropriate penalties for such persons.
He informed that the committee would also report any matters incidental to its assignments and to submit its report within three weeks from the date of inauguration.
Speaking on behalf of members of the committee, the chairman, DIG Usman (rtd), expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence reposed in them to serve the state.
While calling for prayers and support of the people of the state to enable the committee succeed in the tasks ahead of it, Usman assured that member would definitely justify the confidence reposed on them.
It would be recalled that sometime in 2020, a clash between herders and farmers in Misau LGA led to lost of many lives which led to the formation of the panel of inquiry, the committee after completing its assessment, submitted its report to the Government which also informed the constitution of a while paper drafting committee.
