Kebbi community pleads with Gov. Idris to halt farmland grabbing

Gulumbe farming community in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi, has urged Gov. Nasir Idris to stop the ongoing brazen farmland grabbing incident in their community.

A spokesperson for the community, Alhaji Abubakar Tafidan-Gulumbe, told our correspondent in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that one Mustapha Sani-Zauro, illegally cleared their farmlands with an excavator for unknown purpose.

“We have been farming in our farmlands from time immemorial, some farmers inherited their farmlands from their parents and grandparents and just of a sudden, one Mustapha Sani-Zauro, came with an excavator to clear our farmlands without any prior notice to us or notifying our traditional rulers for whatever reason.

“When asked to tell us who sent to illegally grab our farmlands, he told us that he was clearing the lands for one of the wives of Gov. Nasir Idris.

“We didn’t believe him because we knew Gov. Idris cannot do that, and will not allow any member of his family to do such an illegal act.

“Gov. Idris is an honest and God-fearing man even before he became the governor of the state, because if he wants any plot of land, he would buy it from us as he did when he wanted a plot of land I owned and I sold that to him,” he narrated.

Tafidan-Gulumbe disclosed that more than 180 farmers had been affected by the grabbing, lamenting that more than N30 million was lost following the destruction of their farmlands in the clearing process.

“We have already planted millet, groundnut, maize and guinea corn during this rainy season worth about N30 million.

“Consequently, we appeal to Gov. Idris for his intervention to save our farmlands because we are law abiding and peace-loving citizens, we are reaffirming our support and loyalty to the state government under his leadership,” he said.

Tafidan-Gulumbe also informed the journalists that a written petition would be sent to the Commissioner of Police, Director, State Security Service (DSS), and Gwandu Emirate Council, expressing their grievances and for proper investigation into the incident.

“We have instructed our lawyer to send the petition to security agencies, while the District of Gulumbe will prepare a formal complain to the Emirate on the matter.

“The aim is to prevent farmers and youth in the community from taking the law into their hands.

“We have also reported the incident to our Ward Councilors and the state assembly member representing the area,” he said.