Kano community seeks spiritual intervention as residents accuse traditional leader of grabbing farmlands

Many residents of a Kano community, Fancan Kwari in Kogar Kaza, Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area , on Monday performed Sallat al-Qunut — a special prayer for divine intervention — against the village head of Gajere in Bunkure Local Government Area, over alleged illegal sale of their ancestral farmlands.

The villagers accused the traditional ruler, Malam Abubakar Isyaku, of allegedly encroaching on their inherited lands and selling them to outsiders, particularly wealthy individuals from urban areas, despite the lands being located within the Dawakin Kudu territory.

SolaceBase reports that in a spiritual protest, the residents recited the Qur’an five times and slaughtered a ram, praying that God intervene in what they described as a calculated ploy to dispossess them of their primary means of livelihood.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved community, Usman Uba, a two-term councillor in the area, described the situation as devastating.

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“We are devastated by the injustice of this village head who is robbing us of our farmlands. These are the places we inherited over the years,” he said.

He further alleged that the village head has been selling the lands to influential individuals from the city who come to the village for farming.

“Most of us depend on these farmlands. Taking them away from us will definitely affect our lives and that of our children. What shall be our future and that of our kids?” he added.

Another resident, Malam Dalliti Awala, stated that the farmlands allegedly sold by the Gajere Village Head are not part of Bunkure territory and have been in their families for generations.

“The Gajere Village Head’s selfish interests have made him cross into our local government. He is selfish and merciless. Our foreparents were born in this place,” he said.

When SolaceBase contacted Malam Abubakar Isyaku, the village head of Gajere, he denied the allegations, describing them as false.

He claimed the lands in question belong to the Federal Government. However, when asked about the alleged sale of the farmlands, he declined to comment further and advised that questions be directed through his superior.

He later switched off his phone, and efforts to reach him again proved unsuccessful.

The residents have appealed to the government and other relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene and halt what they termed a threat to their survival and future.