Villagers sue army over land
Residents of about six villages who have been residing in Anguwan Malam Auta and other adjourning villages located in present day Jaji Military Cantonment for over 200 years have dragged the Nigerian Army to court over their land. When the case came up for hearing at state High Court 7, Counsel to the villages including […]
Residents of about six villages who have been residing in Anguwan Malam Auta and other adjourning villages located in present day Jaji Military Cantonment for over 200 years have dragged the Nigerian Army to court over their land.
When the case came up for hearing at state High Court 7, Counsel to the villages including Anguwan Malam Bello, Anguwan Aboki, Anguwan Yohanna, Sabuwar Anguwan Lauya, Anguwan Alhassan and Railway tasha Wusono, Kimi Appah argued that the villagers have been in the area for over 200 years before the Nigerian Army came in and took possession of the Jaji Military Cantonment.
Appah said, “The land of the plaintiff is distinct and separate from that of the Nigerian Army, there is a boundary between Jaji Military Cantonment and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and after the NRC is Anguwan Malam Auta which is the first settlement of the plaintiff.”
He continued, “The plaintiff have been living there as good neighbours until sometime in 2016 when the then commander of Infantry Corps Center (ICC) called on the plaintiff telling them that the land they are living on is part of the land given by the Federal Government to Jaji Cantonment.
“The Nigerian Army requested for evidence to show that that land was not acquired by the government, the plaintiff produced evidence and the matter ended. However, in March this year, the army woke up again and started arresting members of the villages in connection with the property therein.
“Then, on the 1st of March, 2018, the Nigerian Army arrested about six persons who were carrying out renovation and construction of a Redeemed Christian Church that is in Anguwan Malam Auta, they arrested the boys and bundled them into the guard room like criminals after we had served them with our court processes.”
He said members of the communities were arrested recently by the army even though the matter is before the court.
Commenting on the court proceedings, he said, “What happened in court is that, after the army received our processes, they did not file a memorandum of appearance which is what is supposed to be the first thing, but they went ahead to file a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of court.”
On the fate of the arrested community members, he said, “We will leave here now we will proceed with the order of court to interface with the Commander ICC to ensure that, if there is any of them still in custody, he should forthwith desist from violation of their fundamental human rights because the army is not law unto themselves.”
Counsel to the Nigerian Army, Barrister Zahida declined to comment on the matter.