Protest as Niger Residents reject alleged move to Adopt...
- ✦That was the beginning of the problem,” he said. He alleged that the district head had been molesting residents and forcing them to adopt Abuja as their place of identification, despite their property documents bearing Niger State. ”All their allocation papers bear Niger State.
- Tension is mounting in Dakwa community as residents have accused a district head appointed by the Esu of Bwari of allegedly harassing them and forcing them to abandon their Niger State identity for Abuja, amid growing concerns over a possible boundary dispute between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State. The residents, who protested at the palace of His Royal Highness, Malam Muhammadu Auwal Ibrahim, on Saturday, accused the district head, Alhassan Babachukuri, also known as Sarkin Alhassan, of demanding that they change their property allocation documents from Niger State to the FCT. They said their families had lived in Dakwa for generations and maintained that their properties and allocation documents fell under Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State. Speaking with Daily Trust at the venue of the protest, the District Head of Zuba, Malam Halilu Abubakar Garba, said the dispute started after the appointment of Babachukuri as the district head of Dakwa. Garba said the appointment had triggered alleged harassment of residents, including attempts to compel them to identify with Abuja despite their insistence that they belonged to Niger State. ”They have been in Dakwa all this while.
- They told him they are under Tafa Local Government of Niger State, not the FCT,” Garba said. The Zuba district head said the latest incident that heightened tensions occurred about one or two weeks ago when Babachukuri allegedly removed Niger State references from signboards in the community. He accused the district head of painting over signboards bearing the name of Tafa Local Government whenever he came across them. Garba also alleged that Babachukuri went to the police post in Dakwa and erased the Niger State inscription from its signboard. He said the alleged action frightened residents, who feared that the situation could escalate and threaten their lives and properties. ”They are worried that if he could do that in the presence of the police without any consequences, their lives and properties might be in danger,” he said. Garba said the residents therefore approached the traditional ruler to seek intervention and protection before the situation deteriorated further. He added that he had discussed the matter with his local government chairman, who promised to arrange a meeting involving him, the Chief of Bwari and the area council chairman after a scheduled flag-off ceremony in Kaduna. According to him, the local government chairman, area commander, police authorities and other security agencies were already aware of the situation. The district head said the residents remained apprehensive because they did not know what might happen next. ”They want the people to live peacefully.
- That was the beginning of the problem,” he said. He alleged that the district head had been molesting residents and forcing them to adopt Abuja as their place of identification, despite their property documents bearing Niger State. ”All their allocation papers bear Niger State.
Tension is mounting in Dakwa community as residents have accused a district head appointed by the Esu of Bwari of allegedly harassing them and forcing them...
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is the latest development regarding Federal Capital Territory?
Tension is mounting in Dakwa community as residents have accused a district head appointed by the Esu of Bwari of allegedly harassing them and forcing them to abandon their Niger State identity for Abuja, amid growing concerns over a possible boundary dispute between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State. The residents, who protested at the palace of His Royal Highness, Malam Muhammadu Auwal Ibrahim, on Saturday, accused the district head, Alhassan Babachukuri, also known as Sarkin Alhassan, of demanding that they change their property allocation documents from Niger State to the FCT. They said their families had lived in Dakwa for generations and maintained that their properties and allocation documents fell under Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State. Speaking with Daily Trust at the venue of the protest, the District Head of Zuba, Malam Halilu Abubakar Garba, said the dispute started after the appointment of Babachukuri as the district head of Dakwa. Garba said the appointment had triggered alleged harassment of residents, including attempts to compel them to identify with Abuja despite their insistence that they belonged to Niger State. ”They have been in Dakwa all this while.
Who are the key organizations or public figures mentioned?
They told him they are under Tafa Local Government of Niger State, not the FCT,” Garba said. The Zuba district head said the latest incident that heightened tensions occurred about one or two weeks ago when Babachukuri allegedly removed Niger State references from signboards in the community. He accused the district head of painting over signboards bearing the name of Tafa Local Government whenever he came across them. Garba also alleged that Babachukuri went to the police post in Dakwa and erased the Niger State inscription from its signboard. He said the alleged action frightened residents, who feared that the situation could escalate and threaten their lives and properties. ”They are worried that if he could do that in the presence of the police without any consequences, their lives and properties might be in danger,” he said. Garba said the residents therefore approached the traditional ruler to seek intervention and protection before the situation deteriorated further. He added that he had discussed the matter with his local government chairman, who promised to arrange a meeting involving him, the Chief of Bwari and the area council chairman after a scheduled flag-off ceremony in Kaduna. According to him, the local government chairman, area commander, police authorities and other security agencies were already aware of the situation. The district head said the residents remained apprehensive because they did not know what might happen next. ”They want the people to live peacefully.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
Tension is mounting in Dakwa community as residents have accused a district head appointed by the Esu of Bwari of allegedly harassing them and forcing them to abandon their Niger State identity for Abuja, amid growing concerns over a possible boundary dispute between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State. The residents, who protested at the palace of His Royal Highness, Malam Muhammadu Auwal Ibrahim, on Saturday, accused the district head, Alhassan Babachukuri, also known as Sarkin Alhassan, of demanding that they change their property allocation documents from Niger State to the FCT. They said their families had lived in Dakwa for generations and maintained that their properties and allocation documents fell under Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State. Speaking with Daily Trust at the venue of the protest, the District Head of Zuba, Malam Halilu Abubakar Garba, said the dispute started after the appointment of Babachukuri as the district head of Dakwa. Garba said the appointment had triggered alleged harassment of residents, including attempts to compel them to identify with Abuja despite their insistence that they belonged to Niger State. ”They have been in Dakwa all this while.
