- Moves Re-establish Cattle Routes
By Mahmoud Dogara (Bauchi State Correspondent?
The Bauchi state government has stated that it has accepted the recommendation of the Committee of inquiry to look into the land dispute between farmers and herders, for the total revocation of all allocations including Farm lands that are self-acquired and the re-establishment of cattle routes in the reserve.
This was contained in a press statement on Government white paper on the report of the administrative Commitee of inquiry Into land dispute between farmers and Herders in Zadawa ward of Hardawa district, Misau local government area of Bauchi state, which was issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor Bala Mohammed, Mukhtar Gidado and made available to newsmen in Bauchi.
According to the report of the committee, the Emir of Misau, Ahmed Suleiman who is presently on suspension by the Bauchi State Government has been issued an administrative warning for dereliction of duty which led to the communal clash in the area which claimed 11 lives. This is even as three directors in Misau Local Government Area have been retired compulsorily for complicity in the clash.
It stated that government has accepted the recommendation of the Committee to warn the Emir of Misau, Alh. Ahmed Suleiman, mni, for dereliction of duty which fuelled and escalated the fatal crisis in his domain, which the Emir is to equally apologize to the Government in writing.
“Government has also accepted the recommendation of the committee on the District Head of Chiroma Alhaji Ahmadun Amadu. The District Head remains suspended pending another investigation. Should he be found wanting he will be removed and prosecuted” .
“The Misau Emirate Council is to ensure that Ibrahim Yusuf Atiku is immediately relieved of his appointment from the post of Wakili of Zadawa Village Head. Government also accepts the recommendation of the committee for the Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice to liaise with the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State to arrest and prosecute Ibrahim Yusuf Atiku for fraudulent allocation of the forest and extortion of money from the allotees.The Emirate Council is to equally ensure that Ibrahim Yusuf Atiku is barred from aspiring to the office of Sarkin Zadawa in the event the position becomes vacant” .
“The Director Administration and General Services, Mal. Sule Abba, The Director Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mal. Baba Waziri, and Director of Works Aminu Abdullahi Disina all of Misau Local Government Council are retired from the Civil Service.Government has equally accepted the recommendation of the committee for further investigation of the 16 identified persons who were alleged to have vigorously participated in masterminding and fuelling the crisis. The Secretary to the State Government is directed to ensure that the Police and Local Government Service Commission are involved in the investigation”The statement read
On relief and assistance, the committee recommended some various degrees of financial Assistance to 10 people who lost their lives in the clash as well as 8 persons who sustained injuries and whose properties were lost as a result of the crisis, adding that government accepted the recommendation of monetary assistance in that regard and has directed the Secretary to the State Government to ensure the payment of such relief or assistance to all the affected persons.
“Government hereby re-iterate that the entire dispute between farmers and Herders in Zadawa that led to the loss of innocent lives and properties would have been avoided if laid down procedures on land allocation especially the forestry law and the law of the State governing the preservation of grazing reserves were adhered to and complied with.The Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Housing and Environment as well as Land and Survey are directed to implement the position of Government as captured in the white paper in order to ensure that justice and equity remain both the practice and the norm"
"Government assures all citizens of its unwavering commitment to the preservation of our forest and grazing reserves as well as farmlands for harmony and peaceful co-existence to prevail in our communities . Government will henceforth apply the full weight of the law without exception for any infringement of rules and procedures in land allocation by all Local Government Councils" The release added
It will be recalled that on the 25th September, 2020, Government received the Report of the Administrative Committee of Inquiry which looked into the land dispute between Farmers and Herders in Zadawa Ward of Hardawa District, Misau Local Government Area. Government has accepted the report of the Committee and the white paper was issued.
The committee’s investigation revealed that Malumje grazing reserve is a community grazing reserve and the allocation of parts of the forest reserve to Farmers or self-acquisitions of the forest as farm lands, are in contravention of the forestry law and laws of Bauchi State 2007. NNL.
