Gov Mohammed warns Bauchi traditional rulers, govt officials against abuse of land allocation

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Thursday, evening warned traditional rulers at all levels in the state as well state and local government officials to desist from land use abuse and allocation.

The governor gave the warning while inaugurating a 45-member committee to implement government White Paper on the report of administrative committee on land disputes between herders and farmers caused by land use abuse and illegal allocation in local government areas of the state.

The warning, according to Governor Mohammed, 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.

He said 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.

This action, the governor noted, 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 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.

Governor Mohammed said the committee was to implement government’s positions as contained in the White Paper on the report of the administrative committee of inquiry on land disputes.

He said the committee was also to identify those responsible for the abuse of allocation at both state and local government levels and to recommend appropriate penalties for such persons.

Mohammed 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.