Kano community cries out over takeover of farmlands

Landowners in Dansoshiya farming community under the organised union of Farm Owners of Dansoshiya Forest and Environs in Kiru LGA of Kano State have called on the state government to intervene as there are attempts to unlawfully take over their farms allegedly by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Danjuma Mahmood.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the spokesman of the union, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, noted that the presence of farmers in the forest had been instrumental to reducing threats from armed robbers and kidnappers.

He said, “Our presence and utilisation of these farmlands have chased away terrorists in this forest and that’s why security recommendation to the previous government asked that we should be given the lands to make use of to reduce the security threat in the area.

“Now that peace has returned to the place, we are faced with the challenge of taking over the farmlands despite a court order to stop that.”

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Sani hinted the reported attempt to unlawfully take over farms was now posing a new challenge, hence that it was crucial for the government to address the issue effectively.

While advocating the protection of farmers’ rights and restoration of peace, he acknowledged the commitment of the government to ensuring security and peaceful coexistence.

Commenting on the matter, Dr Mahmood, represented by the Director, Public Enlightenment, Abba Dalha Soron Dinki, said the claim of the inhabitants was not true, adding that it’s a grazing land and that the government would take it back.

He said, “It was a law made that any place that is a grazing land will be taken back, and there is no any court order restraining us from doing that.

“The government has also identified the place to cite a dam that will assist in farming activities to boost food security which will be beneficial to the people.”

He, therefore, said it is essential for the stakeholders, including the government, local authorities, farmers and herdsmen, to collaborate in resolving the issue.