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Katsina State Governor Orders Immediate Eviction of Farmers Encroaching on Grazing Reserves and Forests

Katsina City News
29 Sep, 2024
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Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has directed the Chairmen of Zango and Mashi Local Governments to immediately evict farmers who have illegally encroached on grazing reserves and cattle routes within their respective areas.

The directive was conveyed through the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Abdullahi Garba Faskari, during his visit to the local governments to investigate complaints made by herders that their grazing areas had been taken over by farmers.

Faskari explained that the visit followed a series of complaints submitted by Fulani herders from the area. A meeting was held in his office with both parties, including the local government leaders, to resolve the issue.

He stated that he personally visited the areas to verify the claims.

In Zango Local Government, the team inspected a site where it was alleged that grazing routes had been blocked, but no evidence of such was found.

However, a representative from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association led the SGS to another location at the outskirts of town, where it was discovered that a farmer had expanded his farmland into the governor's forest reserve.

As a result, Faskari directed the Chairman of Zango Local Government, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu Yardaje, to identify the farmer and investigate how he acquired permission to farm in the forest. The governor also ordered that the illegal farmland be cleared immediately.

Similarly, in Atakar Forest located in Tamilo ward of Mashi Local Government, local herders took the SGS to areas where it was revealed that individuals had been illegally clearing the forest for personal gain.

During the visit, the team encountered a man, identified as Alhaji Bello, who was cutting down trees in the forest. He claimed to be from Safana and produced documents given to him by a traditional ruler as proof of ownership.

Faskari ordered him to submit copies of the documents to his office for further investigation.

In another instance, the SGS discovered that a farmer had destroyed a grazing route and combined it with a forested area for farming purposes. Upon inquiry, the Chairman of Mashi Local Government, Alhaji Salisu Kalla Dankada, denied any knowledge of the matter.

Faskari then gave Dankada three days to ensure that the agricultural department of the local government restores the grazing route to its original state.

He also stated that any other forest areas seized by the farmer must be accounted for, and the individual must provide a proper explanation.

Faskari warned residents, particularly those interested in farming, that only the governor has the authority to allocate land or forest areas for any purpose across the state.

The government, he said, was taking these measures to prevent issues that have contributed to insecurity in some parts of the state.

In Maiaduwa, the SGS endorsed an agreement reached between the herders and farmers who had encroached on grazing reserves in Mululu, Jirdede, and Bakin Boda. The farmers were allowed to harvest the crops they had already planted, while the herders were assured that no further farming would be allowed in the areas reserved for grazing. From next year, the land will be strictly for herders’ use.

Faskari also ordered an investigation into a claim that a man from a neighboring state had illegally seized 70 hectares of land within a grazing reserve under the pretext of establishing a business.

In Kaita, farmers had occupied the 'Yanhoho Forest and a grazing route used by herders to access a water source for their animals.

The farmers claimed they had leased the land from the state's forestry department, but the SGS said this practice was illegal and that the governor had revoked any such arrangement.

The herders in the area agreed to allow the farmers to harvest their crops before vacating the land.

In Karofi Forest in Dutsinma Local Government, the SGS intervened in a dispute between local herders and a man named Onarabul Aminu, who was accused of occupying a grazing route and forest reserve used by the community.

The leader of the Fulani herders, Muhammadu Bello Fulani, who had written the complaint to the office of the SGS, showed Faskari the extent of the damage caused by the encroachment.

They explained that the grazing route had been in use for years, serving local herders and passing nomads, but this year, they had lost access to it.

Both Ardon Fulani, the district head, and the acting chairman of Dutsinma Local Government, Alhaji Sada Ibrahim Sada, confirmed that the Dutsinma Emirate had ordered Aminu and other farmers to vacate the land, but they refused to comply.

Aminu insisted that he was given the land by a former local government chairman.

In response, Faskari instructed the acting chairman to immediately demarcate the grazing route and install strong boundary markers.

He also urged both parties to reach an amicable solution, warning that next year, anyone who encroaches on grazing routes or reserves would face the consequences.

Faskari concluded by stating that his office would continue to monitor and address these issues across the state wherever reports of encroachment arise.

In all the areas visited, Fulani herders expressed their gratitude to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for taking decisive action to ensure peace between them and the farmers. They pledged to continue supporting the government's efforts and policies.

Accompanying the SGS on the visits were the Permanent Secretary for Security and Governance, Alhaji Salisu Abdu, the Director of Press, Abdullahi Aliyu Yar’adua, the Acting Director of Security, Alhaji Hamza Audi Kofarbai, and other officials..