BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
Residents of 10 communities in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State have appealed to the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government for urgent intervention, one year after their houses were demolished and access to their farmlands was allegedly restricted.
The affected communities are Anguwan Mallam Auta, Anguwan Musa, Anguwan Danjuma, Anguwan Loye, Anguwan Alhassan, Anguwan Yohanna, Anguwan Aboki, Anguwan Guruza, Labar and Ringa.
Speaking during a gathering to mark the first anniversary of the demolition, the Sarkin Kabilu of Sabon Garin Wusono, Dama John, alleged that the military demolished houses in the communities despite an eight-year-old court case and existing court orders restraining action over the disputed land.
“The army arrived and took our land, destroying our houses even though our case has been in court for over eight years. Many court orders are preventing them from acting against the land, yet they went ahead,” he said.
John said the demolition had subjected residents to severe hardship, claiming that more than 70 members of the communities had died from the trauma and difficulties associated with the displacement.
He said some residents had also developed illnesses, with some reportedly becoming partially paralysed, while others were forced to sell roofing sheets, doors and other belongings to raise money for accommodation.
“SEMA arrived and documented all of us. The state government also established a committee led by the Secretary to the State Government. We were told, ‘before the sun sets, you’ll hear from us.’ To date, we have not received any updates,” he said.
According to him, the residents recently sent reminder letters to the government as their rent deadlines approach.
John said about 90 per cent of the affected residents were farmers who could no longer access their farmlands because the areas had allegedly been incorporated into military barracks.
“We have not been able to go back to the farm this year. In fact, we don’t even know what we will eat next year. Some of our people are still living in mosques and churches because they have nowhere else to stay,” he said.
Also speaking, Nasiru Umar Labar, who represented the Village Head of Labar, said about nine-tenths of the community’s farmland had allegedly been taken, worsening the economic situation of residents.
He said the hardship had also resulted in deaths, including that of the community’s Chief Imam.
“We woke up in the middle of the night to a knock on our door only to find he had passed away. It was this distress that caused it,” Labar said.
He described the situation in Labar as one of widespread poverty, saying some residents could no longer afford basic necessities.
Labar also recounted the experience of Imam Nur, who he said mentors more than 300 Almajiri students, adding that the cleric had become overwhelmed by the hardship facing the community.
Malam Ango Danjuma, a retired military officer, alleged that residents were given no prior notice before the demolitions.
“We would just be sitting, and you would see them come to demolish your house, and if you didn’t run, you could even be killed. I told my family to pack out quickly,” he said.
Danjuma appealed directly to Governor Uba Sani to intervene, saying the displaced residents were facing severe hardship.
“What we want is for the government to intervene and help us. If they do not, we are currently in serious, severe trouble,” he said.
Hajiya Murja Babba Da’agundi also appealed to the governor to come to the aid of the affected communities, saying many residents had lost their homes and farmlands.
“This town belongs to our parents and grandparents. People have had their houses and farmlands seized. People are dying; some have become paralysed. For the sake of God and the Prophet, please help us,” she said.
She estimated that nearly 10,000 people lived in the affected area, adding that the communities also had active polling units.
Veronica Peter, whose father was a retired soldier, said the displacement had left many families struggling to pay rent.
“We sold our properties to pay rent. We don’t have any money, and our rent will expire on Monday. Because of this, I lost my father,” she said.
Atiku Na-Annabi, Youth Leader of Anguwan Aboki, Sabon Garin Wusono, said the gathering was organised primarily as a prayer session and to draw the attention of the authorities to the plight of the affected residents.
He claimed that many residents had developed health problems as a result of the hardship, alleging that more than 100 people had died.
“We are in a completely helpless state,” he said.
The community leaders appealed to the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government to intervene in the dispute, provide immediate relief to the displaced residents and compel the relevant authorities to address their demands for compensation.
They also called for measures that would enable affected farmers to regain access to their means of livelihood.
“We are still around. We have been patient. We would have protested, but the governor asked us to remain calm. The situation is very, very bad,” Dama John said.
