BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA
In a petition signed by the spokesman of the group Farmers and made available to journalists in Minna, Mr James Sambo Duku,alleged that the District Head of Duku Alhaji Attahiru Garba Duku is threatened to eliminate him if he continue to farm on the farmland.
The cooperative, which has over 150 members from Nafsi, Tungan Rimi, Danzugu, Anguwan Kuku, and Anguwan Dawudu Fara villages, said the land in question belongs to its members and is located in Nafsi village under Dukku District.
According to the farmers, the land was many years ago given temporarily to Fulani settlers by the late district head, Abdullahi Danbauchi, with the agreement of the landowners. The aim was to accommodate visitors and non-indigenes in the community.
However, due to rising cases of kidnapping in the area, the Fulani settlers were later asked to leave, and they reportedly did so peacefully.
The farmers explained that after the settlers left, they informed the current district head, Alhaji Attah Garba, of their plan to return to their land. They said they were surprised when the district head allegedly gave the same land to another group from the Gungawa community in Yauri, Kebbi State, for three years starting from 2021.
The matter was later reported to the Emir of Kontagora, who advised the farmers to remain patient until the three-year agreement expired.
In 2024, after the agreement ended, the cooperative wrote to the Niger State Government, which set up a committee to investigate the issue. The committee visited the land and gathered information.
In 2025, the farmers said they were told by the ward councillor, Haruna Addo, that they could return to their land. However, they were also informed that part of the land had been allocated to the district head without their consent.
The situation became worse in August 2025 when some farmers claimed they found individuals from the Gungawa community spraying chemicals on their crops. This led to a confrontation, which was later controlled before it turned violent.
The cooperative reported the matter to authorities in Yauri, where the Gungawa farmers allegedly presented a document claiming they were given the land for another year after making payment.
The Dukku farmers say this development has increased anger and tension among their members. They warned that if urgent action is not taken, the situation could lead to serious conflict between the communities.
The cooperative is now calling on the National Human Rights Commission to step in and help resolve the matter peacefully.
Chairman of the cooperative, James Sambo, urged authorities to act quickly to prevent loss of lives and restore peace in the area.
