Residents of Dariya village in Tudun Wada Local Government Area and Gomo village in Sumaila Local Government Area, Kano State, have accused the lawmaker representing Burra in Bauchi State House of Assembly of land encroachment.
The Kano State House of Assembly Committee on Land confirmed receiving the complaints from the two communities.
The affected communities, which border the Burra in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, officially lodged their grievance with the Kano State House of Assembly.
Hafizu Gambo, the Chairman of the House Committee on Land Matters and representative of Bunkure, led a committee delegation to the affected areas as part of their oversight duties.
Following the visit, Gambo confirmed the residents’ claims and assured them that efforts would be made to reclaim the encroached lands for Kano State.
Gambo expressed concern that the Bauchi lawmaker, who should be aware of legal boundaries, allegedly removed demarcation markers that define the state borders.
He stated that their visit was a crucial part of oversight activities in the border communities of Dariya and Gomo, which lie adjacent to Burra.
Usman Dambatta, the Kano State Surveyor General, also confirmed the encroachment and pledged to address the issue.
Wikkitimes’ investigation had earlier revealed encroachments into the Burra-Lame forest by local farmers, immigrants, and unauthorized timber and charcoal operators.
The report led to the suspension of former Executive Chairman of Ningi Local Government Area, Hon. Mamuda Hassan Tabla, by the Bauchi State Government.
Lawmaker Denies Trespass
When contacted about the allegations, Hon. Ibrahim Tanko Burra, the lawmaker representing Burra Constituency, expressed surprise at the complaints from Gomo and Dariya.
He suggested that the complainants might be misinformed about the actual boundaries of the forest.
“As an elected representative, I adhere to the rules and regulations. As a devout Muslim, I understand the implications of encroachment and would never trespass on someone else’s land,” he stated firmly, denying any wrongdoing.
Tanko noted that both Kano and Bauchi State Assemblies have committees responsible for land and border matters, and he welcomed an investigation. He also confirmed that he has been allocated land in the Bashe Forest, near the border with Dariya village, where he engages in farming activities.
“I farm in the forest where we share a border with Tudun Wada, and there are more than 100 border demarcation markers installed by the Federal Government. These permanent structures are still intact and cannot be easily removed,” he added.
Tanko emphasized that he has yet to receive any official communication regarding the issue from either the Bauchi or Kano State Houses of Assembly.
