Mediaplusng.com reports that tension is mounting in Gulumbe village, located in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, as residents accuse top government officials of illegally seizing their ancestral farmlands without any prior notice or consent.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Alhaji Abubakar Tafidan-Gulumbe, spokesperson for the aggrieved community, made an urgent appeal to Governor Nasir Idris, urging him to intervene and halt the ongoing encroachment.
“For generations, we have cultivated these lands, which we inherited from our forefathers. Suddenly, a man named Mustapha Sani-Zauro arrived with bulldozers and started clearing our farmland without informing our traditional leaders or seeking our consent,” Tafidan-Gulumbe lamented, as gathered by Mediaplusng.com.
According to him, Sani-Zauro allegedly claimed that he was acting on behalf of some members of the Governor’s family. The community, however, strongly rejected this claim, expressing their belief in Governor Idris’ integrity.
“We firmly believe that Governor Idris, a man of proven honesty and piety, would never authorize such illegal land grabs. He has always respected due process. In fact, during his private dealings before assuming office, he once purchased land directly from me through the proper legal channels,” Tafidan-Gulumbe revealed.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the alleged land seizure has already affected over 180 farmers, with an estimated loss of more than ₦30 million due to the destruction of crops such as millet, groundnuts, maize, and guinea corn.
“This rainy season, we invested millions in planting these crops. Now, our livelihoods are on the brink of destruction,” Tafidan-Gulumbe added.
The Gulumbe community is now calling on Governor Idris for immediate protection and justice, reaffirming their loyalty to his administration while urging him to act swiftly.
“As peace-loving citizens, we trust in the Governor’s leadership. We’re appealing for his intervention to safeguard our farmlands and prevent any form of civil unrest,” Tafidan-Gulumbe emphasized.
To prevent tensions from escalating, the community disclosed plans to seek redress through both legal and traditional avenues. Formal petitions will be submitted to relevant security agencies, while reports will also be filed with the Emirate Council, as well as their Ward Councilor and State Assembly representative, Mediaplusng.com learnt.
