Land Battle: Niger Community Rejects 500-Hectare Takeover

The protesters, made up of youths, women, elders and traditional masquerades, marched through the community chanting solidarity songs and demanding a review of the planned land acquisition.

The masquerades, regarded by residents as symbols of ancestral authority, were led around the disputed land in what the community described as a traditional appeal to their forefathers to safeguard their ancestral heritage.
According to the protesters, the proposed acquisition would take away farmland that serves as the primary source of livelihood for many families in the community.
Some residents also expressed concerns over the intended use of the land, saying they wanted more information about the project and its likely impact on the host community.
One of the residents, Aishatu, appealed to the government to consider the welfare of rural farmers, warning that losing such a vast expanse of farmland could negatively affect food production and the livelihoods of many households.
During the protest, demonstrators repeatedly chanted, “Ba ma so, ba ma yi” (We do not want it), while calling on the authorities to reconsider the proposed acquisition.
They appealed to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to suspend the planned handover of the land to Abuja Steel Mills Limited and instead engage the affected community in dialogue to promote peace, justice and protect the farmers’ means of livelihood.
The protesters expressed confidence that meaningful discussions involving the government, the company and the host community would produce a solution that benefits all parties.
As of the time this report was filed, attempts to obtain official reactions from the Niger State Government and Abuja Steel Mills Limited were unsuccessful.