By Uzair Adam
Landowners in Dangoro community of Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State, have expressed disappointment over what they described as poor representation and lack of transparency during a meeting between government officials and community leaders on the ongoing land dispute in the area.
The meeting, which took place at the Kumbotso Secretariat, was attended by representatives of the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), officials from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, and traditional rulers from the area.
The landowners alleged that they were deliberately left out of the meeting by their district head, Ishaq Yusuf Ishaq, despite prior attempts to engage him on the matter. They accused him of siding with the government instead of protecting the interests of his subjects.
Speaking on behalf of the landowners, Vice Chairman of the group, Sunusi Haruna, said they only learned about the meeting through unofficial sources after it had already begun.
He stated that, “When he was informed about the meeting, he kept mute. He thinks what we are doing for our lands is wrong and sees us as his enemies. When we heard about the meeting, we rushed to the disputed land, only to be told it was at the village head’s palace.
“By the time we got there and later moved to the secretariat, the meeting was already over, and we didn’t know what was discussed,” Haruna added.
The landowners described the situation as a calculated attempt to exclude them from crucial discussions that could determine the fate of their farmlands and plots. They maintained that the district head’s decision not to inform them was unfair and contrary to his duty as a community leader.
They further argued that showing empathy and ensuring fair representation for his people would not amount to defying the government but rather demonstrate good leadership.
It will be recalled that residents of Dangoro community recently held a special prayer session, seeking divine intervention over what they described as the continuous takeover of their farmlands and plots by the state government.
The residents said they were thrown into panic following the government’s plan to relocate the Yan Lemo Fruit Market and Yankaba Vegetables Market to their area — an action they fear could result in another round of land seizures and displacement.
Also Speaking during the latest meeting, another landowner, Haruna Muhammad, who represented a group of individuals with inherited lands in the area, warned that the planned relocation could cause serious hardship.
He stated that, “There are many people whose plots are under my care. Some of them inherited these lands from their parents. It will be a great problem if the government takes them away.”
Also speaking, a respected community elder, Alhaji Gambo Saminu Adamu, appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to personally intervene in the matter.
“We are pleading for your intervention. We know you are just and compassionate. We want you to come to our rescue and choose what is best for us, and we will accept it,” he said.
When contacted, the Secretary of Kumbotso Local Government, Abubakar Bala Sheka, urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the government had no intention of forcefully taking over their lands.
He expressed surprise that the district head failed to inform the landowners about the meeting but noted that the government’s plan was purely developmental.
She added that, “There is a need for understanding. Governor Yusuf bears no ill will. The market is going to be modern and standard. As explained by the Chief Surveyor, if there are ten shops on your land, the government will take five and you will retain five.”
Despite the assurances, the landowners vowed to continue advocating for fair treatment and transparent engagement, insisting that their voices must be heard in any discussion affecting their lands and livelihoods.
