- By Idris Shehu
A strong warning has been served to the suspended Emir of Misau, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman over what the Bauchi state government termed as his dereliction of duty which led to the recent farmer/herder clash at Zadawa ward in Hardawa district of the emirate.
The warning came in a white paper on the report of the Administrative Committee of Inquiry into land dispute between farmer and herders which investigated the clashes in which ten lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
“Government has accepted the recommendation of the committee to warn the Emir of Misau, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman for dereliction of duty which fueled and escalated the fatal crisis in his domain. The emir is to equally apologize to the Government in writing”.
It also accepted the committee’s report which recommended that the district head of Chiroma district, Alhaji Ahmed Ahmadu to remain in suspension pending another investigation into the crisis, which if he is found to be involved will be removed and prosecuted.
The white paper similarly recommended for the immediate relieve of appointment of Wakili of Zadawa (village head), Ibrahim Yusuf Atiku for fraudulent allocation of forest and extortion of money from allottees, as well as his immediate arrest and prosecution.
“The Misau emirate council is also to ensure that Ibrahim Yusuf Atiku is barred from aspiring to the office of Sarkin Zadawa in the even the position becomes vacant.
White paper similarly recommended for some financial assistance to the ten persons who lost their lives in farmer/herder clashes, and the 8 persons who sustained injuries, as well as whose properties were lost as a result of the crisis.
It noted that the dispute between farmers and herders in Zadawa would have been avoided if the laid down procedures on land allocation, especially the forestry law of the state governing the preservation of grazing reserves were adhered to and complied with.
Bauchi state government noted with regret the violation of the terms of allocation of farmlands in the reserve and the sharp practices in the exercise which deprives herders of their rights of grazing.
It therefore revoked all previous allocations in order for peace to reign in the area, as it will henceforth apply the full weight of the law without exception for any infringement of rules and procedures in land allocation by any local government council.
Government assured all citizens of its unwavering commitment to the preservation of its forest and grazing reserves, as well as farmlands for harmony and peaceful co-existence to prevail in all communities across Bauchi state.
