Bauchi state house of assembly has received a petition from Fulani Communities of Jira, Katsinawa and Tama ward in Toro Local Government over what they described as extortion by traditional rulers before they are allowed to settle at Lame/Burra Game Reserve.
In a summary of proceedings of Thursday’s session of the assembly obtained from the spokesman of the speaker, Comrade Abdul Burra, the petition was presented to the house by the Chairman House Committee on Petition, Hon. Musa Mante Baraza of Dass Constituency.
The House which was presided over by Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Suleiman had earlier on, approved the votes and proceedings of Wednesday 4th March, 2020.
According to the petition which was jointly signed by Alhaji Musa Isa Jira, Alhaji Kori Tama and Ahmad Isah Katsinawa, the traditional rulers do receive monies ranging from N200 to N300 thousand before allocating land for three years.
WikkiTimes reports that the petitioners alleged that “after a year they will ask us to pay again or vacate the land, after which they will allocate the land to others. Alhough, parts of the forest are known as game reserve but it has become farmlands now”.
“Whenever they see us, they attack our cows and arrest them and before they release them to us, we must have paid 100,000 to 200,000 naira”. The fulani community further alleged.
“We therefore, urge the Bauchi state house of Assembly to look into the matter and give us our right”. The requested.
In his contribution, Hon Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo, member representing Chiroma Constituency suggested that the matter be referred to committee of forestry and environment for investigation.
Hon Tukur Ibrahim suggested that the member of the Constituency (Lame) should be included in the Committee’s assignment.
The Honourable House referred the matter to House committee on environment and forestry and asked member representing Lame Constituency to join the Committee on the assignment
