Bauchi: Residents protest forceful ejection from homes, farmlands

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi 

Inhabitants of Shadawanka community that surround the Army Barracks in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State have protested over alleged forceful ejection and confiscation of their houses and farmlands, by Bauchi Emirate council and the Nigerian Army.

It was observed that the community’s men and women carrying placards, chanting solidarity songs blocked Bauchi Jos road Federal Highway, thereby forcing commuters to be stranded for over five hours.

It however took the Intervention of the Security adviser to the Bauchi State Governor Brigadier General Marcus Yake for the protesters to open the road, following a pledge that Government  and all stakeholders will meet to resolve the matter peacefully within 24 hours.

Some of the protesters Habibu Abubakar 25 years old, AishatuSani 54 years old and Hadiza Ahmadu, a 70-year old woman,  who spoke to reporters at the scene, disclosed that they have been in their villages for over 150 years, they inherited their lands from their forefathers and have been utilizing same for residential,grazing  and farming, as their only means of livelihood. 

They alleged that since during Gowon administration in 1972 to 74 when Shadawanka barracks was built they are living there, as and the barracks is separated from the community but between 1982 to 1985  apart of Shadawanka was demarcated to be as Shadawanka barracks and Obienu barracks, and the community did not in anyway form part of the two barracks.

They also alleged that in 2019 a memorandum of understanding was prepared by the Bauchi Emirate Council and some members of the community  were forces to sign the document without their knowledge since they are illiterates,without mincing words the document  was not made in good faith.

However, a source at the Bauchi Emirate Council said “ the issue has been lingering  because he recalled  when General  Tukur Buratai was the chief of Army , the there was fracas between the Army and the community , they took their complain to the emirate and the Emirate  intervened abd broker peace when the emirate reached to Buratai and appeal for amicable  resolution  of the issue

“And the status-quo was maintained and the started and fenced the non disputed area and now in the interest of security  they want to fence their land.”

Earlier, Special Adviser to Bauchi State Governor on security Brigadier General Yake retired ,said he intervened by enlightening the community to understand that the people plying the road many of them has nothing to do with the barracks or community, as they are innocent travelers.

He added that they shouldn’t  do anything that will lead to destruction  of lives and properties. 

He pledged to brief the Governor  and to summon  all stakeholders in order to resolve the matter amicably. 

Yake plead with the Army and the contractors handling  the project  to maintain statuesque, and assured that everything will be resolve within short time.