Ahmadu Bello University’s College of Agriculture and Animal Science Mando, Kaduna has raised alarm over alleged encroachment of its land by Kaduna State Government despite a court order.
Provost of the College, Dr. Hassan Hamidu raised the alarm while addressing a press conference on behalf of the University held in Kaduna.
He lamented that the action of Kaduna State has exposed the school to serious security threats.
According to him, despite a court order dated 18th January, 2022 restraining Kaduna State Government and its agencies from encroaching the College land, the agencies have moved in and demolished the school fence and started clearing its land.
According to the Order signed by the Registrar of the Kaduna State High Court, Zaria Division, Jafaru Ibrahim, the order shall subsist pending the determination of the Motion on Notice already filed along with the Writs of Summons and Statement of Claim.
Dr. Hassan Hamidu explained that the demolition of the fence by the Kaduna State Government agencies has exposed the College, Staff and Students to security threat considering the ravaging kidnapping and Banditary in the axis.
He described the action of Kaduna state government as a desperate act to take over the College’s land.
He said that, “in 2012, a committee headed by the then Comptroller Works and Housing, was set up to demarcate the land between the College of Agriculture and Federal Ministry of Agriculture, while submitting its reports in 2014, and the committee advised the Mando College to fence its own entire boundary to prevent further encroachment, which was duly carried out and has been serving as a grazing area for the college’s livestock.”
The Provost however said, despite the fencing, attempt were made to take the land from the college.
However, when Journalists were taken on tour of the land, Bulldozers were seen pulling down the fence were clearing the Land.
When contacted, Director General of KADGIS, Mrs. Altine Jibrin declined comments on the matter saying it is still in court.
She also declined further comment on the bulldozers sighted by journalists at the site, but she simply stated that, the agency does not operate with bulldozers.
Cov/ Adamu Yusuf
