Kaduna communities seek urgent relief after demolition of homes, farmlands

Residents of 10 communities in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state have appealed to Governor Uba Sani and the Federal Government to intervene in the hardship they say followed the demolition of their homes and seizure of farmlands about a year ago.

The communities — Anguwan Mallam Auta, Anguwan Musa, Anguwan Danjuma, Anguwan Loye, Anguwan Alhassan, Anguwan Yohanna, Anguwan Aboki, Anguwan Guruza, Labar and Ringa — made the appeal during a gathering to mark the first anniversary of the demolitions.

The residents alleged that more than 70 people had died from trauma and hardship since the demolition, while others were battling illnesses and displacement.

Dama John, Sarkin Kabilu of Sabon Garin Wusono, said the demolition took place despite a court case involving the land that had been pending for about eight years.

He alleged that several court orders had also been issued restraining actions on 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.

According to him, the displacement had left many residents struggling to survive, with some forced to sell roofing sheets, doors and other belongings to raise money for rent.

He said the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency had documented the affected residents, while the state government had also constituted a committee headed 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.

Dama John said the residents recently sent reminder letters to the state government as their rent deadlines approached.

He added that about 90 per cent of the affected residents were farmers who had been unable to access their farmlands since the demolition.

“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.

Nasiru Umar Labar, who represented the Village Head of Labar, said about nine-tenths of the community’s farmland had been taken, worsening poverty among residents.

He said the hardship had also claimed lives, 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,” he said.

Labar described the level of hardship in the community as severe, saying some residents could no longer afford basic necessities, including transportation to attend community meetings.

He also cited the case of Imam Nur, who he said mentors more than 300 Almajiri students, as an example of the psychological pressure residents were facing.

Malam Ango Danjuma, a retired military officer, alleged that residents were not given adequate notice before some of 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.

He appealed directly to Governor Uba Sani to intervene.

“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, saying the affected communities had existed for generations.

“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 across the affected communities.

Veronica Peter, whose father was a retired soldier, said families had been forced to sell their belongings to pay rent after losing their homes.

“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 anniversary gathering was organised to pray for the affected residents and draw the attention of government to their plight.

“Many of our people have developed high blood pressure, and more than a hundred people have already died. We are in a completely helpless state,” he said.

The community leaders appealed to the Kaduna State and Federal Governments to provide immediate relief, resolve the land dispute and ensure compensation where appropriate.

They said they had remained peaceful despite the hardship, noting that they had earlier heeded Governor Uba Sani’s appeal not to protest.

“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.