How market leadership tussle renews FCT, Niger boundary dispute

The lingering boundary dispute between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State over Dakwa community continues to fuel tension among residents and business operators. Dakwa, located near the popular Zuma Rock along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, has two village heads, each recognised by the Bwari Area Council in the FCT and the Tafa Local Government […]

The lingering boundary dispute between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State over Dakwa community continues to fuel tension among residents and business operators.

Dakwa, located near the popular Zuma Rock along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, has two village heads, each recognised by the Bwari Area Council in the FCT and the Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State, respectively.

The latest confrontation centres on the community’s fruit market, which has served as a major trading hub for fruit dealers from across the country for nearly two decades.

A visit by Abuja Metro to the market showed growing concern among traders following the dissolution of the pioneer market executive and the inauguration of a new leadership.

The development has split traders into two camps. While the former executive has pledged allegiance to the Bwari Area Council, the newly inaugurated leadership has been recognised by the Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State.

Abuja Metro spoke with traders, the chairman of Tafa LGA and the traditional ruler recognised by the Bwari Area Council, with each side maintaining its claim over the community.

The acting chairman of the market, Ibrahim Ya’u, who was recently sworn in alongside other executive members by the chairman of Tafa LGA following a court order, alleged that the former executive had remained in office unopposed for over 15 years before disagreements arose over funds contributed by traders to acquire additional land for the expansion of the market.

“The former executive asked all market members, including wheelbarrow pushers, to contribute money to purchase nearby land for expansion. We all agreed and began contributing.

“Three months later, we requested an update on the amount realised, but they declined, saying it was too early to render an account. Some members became dissatisfied and wanted to revolt, but we persuaded them to remain calm.

“About a year later, the issue resurfaced and we again demanded accountability. That was when they admitted the money was no longer available. We later received information that they were planning to sell the entire market land.

“That prompted us to seek legal redress. The court subsequently dissolved the executive and ordered the inauguration of a new leadership, which I now head in an acting capacity,” Ya’u said.

Reacting, the secretary of the dissolved executive, Adamu Musa, dismissed the allegation, saying there was no evidence to support claims that the funds had been mismanaged.

He maintained that the market land was originally acquired by 10 individuals who, according to him, retain the authority to decide whether to sell or retain it.

Musa described the actions of the new executive, whom he called their subordinates, as a breach of trust. He insisted that Dakwa falls under the Bwari Area Council in the FCT and accused the Tafa council of interfering in the affairs of the market.

“Any resident of Dakwa is free to pledge loyalty to either Niger State or the FCT because the exact boundary has yet to be officially determined,” he said.

The Chairman of Tafa Local Government Area, Danladi Iya, however, insisted that the market is located within Niger State.

According to him, a Niger State High Court directed the council to constitute a caretaker committee to oversee the market pending the election of a substantive executive.

He described the dissolved executive, which now identifies with the Bwari Area Council, as a “rebel group” that had been removed by the court.

The village head of Dakwa recognised by the Bwari Area Council, Alhaji Alhassan Musa Babachukuri, maintained that the entire community lies within the FCT.

According to him, the FCT boundary begins near Zuma Rock and stretches beyond the area where Madalla Market is located.

Reacting, the information officer of the Bwari Area Council, Ishaku Emmanuel, had insisted that the Dakwa town is within the council.

He described the dispute over ownership of the area as a long lingering issue, calling on the Federal Government to solve the issue once and for all by indicating boundary points between the two neighbouring territorials of the FCT and Niger state.