Stop intimidating us over our land, Kaduna communities tell El-Rufai

Nine communities in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has urged well-meaning Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari, to prevail on the governor of the state, Nasiru El-Rufa’i to pay compensations for land taken from them.

Abdullahi Sulaiman, spokesman of the affected communities, said at a press briefing on Monday in Kaduna that the state government has taken over their lands and refused to pay them compensation, alleging that the government is using the police to intimidate them.

 

He listed the communities affected to include: Danhonu II, Sabongarin Danhonu, Anguwar Maje, Kakura, Kyauta, Sabon Gero, Kurmin Sata, Kadaure and Sabon Danbushiya.

He said that although the government reserves the right to acquire land for any development purpose, it must however discharge its obligation by adequately compensating the rightful owners.

He added: "The communities had written seven letters to government between March 2016 and July 2017 on the issue of compensation without any response.

"The government had ordered the arrest and detention of some members of the communities and even though we have written a petition to the Chief Judge of the state on the matter, our members were not given fair-hearing in court.

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, citizens of Kaduna state and lovers of peace and justice anywhere they are, and even the international community to hear our cries and prevail on the Kaduna state government to do what is right and just.

"We also call on President Muhammadu Buhari, State and National Assembly members, civil society and human right groups to come to our rescue immediately.”

Sulaiman stressed that members of the communities would remain law-abiding in the pursuit of their quest for justice using all legitimate means.

Source: daily trust