Residents of Kaibo Mada community in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have accused traditional rulers in Bagaji and the Keffi Emirate of attempting to seize farmlands and plots they claim to have inherited from their forebears.
The development prompted both men and women in the area to stage a peaceful protest across the town’s streets to express their frustration.
The demonstrators marched with placards and leaves, chanting songs appealing for the intervention of the Nasarawa State Government.
One of the protesters, Malam Salihu Musa, said:
“This land is our inheritance from our fathers, yet there’s now an attempt to take it from us without justification. We call on Governor Engineer Abdullahi Sule to step in and defend our rights.”;;
An elderly woman, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, also voiced deep concern, saying:“If our farmlands are taken from us, how will we feed our children? This is unjust, and we will not back down until the government takes action.”;;
The community stressed that the lands under threat are the foundation of their livelihood, as they are used for farming and income generation.
They called on the Nasarawa State Government and the Land Management Authority to halt all attempts to seize the lands until a thorough investigation is conducted and the villagers are given a chance to defend themselves.
When journalists visited the Keffi Emirate Palace to get a response from the Emir, His Royal Highness Dr. Cindo Yamusa, his interim secretary, Malam Yakubu, told them the Emir was attending a condolence visit in Nasarawa town.
However, he promised that the Emir would issue a statement once available.
