Farmers in Haskiya Village of Damau District in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State have decried what they termed seizure of their farmland and extortion by one Shehu Damau.

They are therefore seeking justice and have petitioned the state government, police, and Department of State Security (DSS).

In their petition letter, they said Damau who purported to be an employee of Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) was accompanied by armed police officers, stormed their village and threatened anyone found on the farmland.

According to the letter, the farmers claimed they had been farming on their farmlands for over 50 years without interference from anybody until recent seizure.

The petition, dated June 28, 2024, addressed to the state governor, Senator Uba Sani, police commissioner, and Director of DSS, was written by Mamman Nasir and Co, Head of Chambers, Solomon Utuagha, on behalf of the farmers.

“He brought out a Certificate of Occupancy issued in the name of the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives and told the villagers (our clients) that the said farmland belongs to the speaker and that anyone found there without registering with him would be dealt with,” the letter partly read.

Meanwhile the farmers asserted that they had been paying their respective dues to the Ministry of Environment prior to the invasion and trespass by Shehu Damau.

And the lands in question are located at Bugau North Forest Reserve, and Gauraki Forest Reserve, all within Damau District.

They then called on the Kaduna State government and all relevant authorities to investigate and intervene to restore peace in the village and prevent any breakdown of law and order.