Concerned farmers in Dankan Shan Iska in the Awe local government area of Nasarawa state have protested over an alleged illegal encroachment into their farmlands by Dangote Sugar Refinery in the local government of the state.
The community led by their leader, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed on Monday begged Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state to come to their aid by prevailing on the company not to use their land.
Ahmed, who also is the chairman of Dankan Shan Iska in the community, alleged that their farmland was dined compensation by Dangote and his agents, affirming that the agents ignored their peal and went ahead to clear the land for their own use.
According to the leader of the farmers, the members of the community are currently experiencing encroachment on their land by Dangote Sugar Refinery, stating that the encroachment has taken over 3,571.438 hectares belonging to the people of the community without compensation.
He, however, stated that: “Dangote and Awe Development Association (ADA) community agreed that Dankan Shan Iska was not part of the areas earmarked for compensation.
He expressed concern why Dangote later decided to clear the land.
He added that the farmland was not measured for the ongoing compensation exercise of Dangote lands compensation, affirming that he would be happy if their complain would be given express consideration for the Dangote Suger company be cautioned against taking over their lands.
“We are happy with the coming of Dangote to Awe LGA, but he must not encroach on our portions for farming, because Nasarawa is an agrarian state whereby farming is the major occupation of the majority of the people in Awe LGA and we would not like anyone to seize our land from us,” he lamented.
The team leader urged the authorities concern to urgently address the issue at stake so as to avert any possible outbreak of crisis in the area.
Efforts to speak to Dangote agents handling the clearing of the site in Awe LGA, proved abortive as several calls into his mobile phone could not be replied as at the time of filling in this report.
