Members of Garin Barau village in Zudai District of Bali Local Government Council of Taraba State have accused the chairman of the council, Aboki Dauda, of igniting conflict between neighbouring villages.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday, the community leader, Mallam Abdul Hassan, said the ongoing tension was triggered by the forceful confiscation of land by the council chairman.
Hassan highlighted that previous directives from Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and the state chairman of the council of chiefs, Adda Alli, had emphasised the importance of resolving land disputes through proper channels to prevent such conflicts.
Despite the directives, the council boss was alleged to have purportedly disregarded protocol by failing to involve traditional rulers in resolving land matters within his jurisdiction, a situation, which according to the community, has further aggravated the tension.
Responding, however, the chairman, defended his actions, saying the contested land originally fell under Kaigama Chiefdom despite being inhabited by people of Jibu extraction.
Dauda maintained that his actions align with the policies of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.