Kano farmers allege harrassment, extortion by NSCDC
Farmers in Dansoshiya Community in Kiru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State have alleged that they are being harassed and extorted by officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on their farms.
The farmers, currently engaged in clearing their farmlands ahead of the rainy season, made the complaint while speaking with journalists in Kano.
A spokesperson for the farmers, Abdullahi Kwida, alleged that the NSCDC personnel had been arresting them in their farms and extorted them of amounts ranging from N20,000 to N55,000 per farmer.
According to him, the farmers are daily facing harassment and intimidation from the NSCDC operatives with a view to collecting fines from the farmers.
Kwida said he went to his farm at Dansoshiya forest in order clear the farm in preparation for the rainy season but on arrival some NSCDC personnel arrested him and took his to a house where he had to part with N30,000 before he was released.
“Farming is the only business we have here but NSCDC personnel are trying to stop us from cultivating our farms in this forest despite the fact that the local government gave us the permission to farm in the forest to prevent criminals from using it as a hideout,” he said.
Another farmer, Rabi’u Ibrahim Madaki also alleged that he was arrested while clearing his farm and taken to the same house where he was asked to pay a fine of N55,000 for illegal farming in the forest.
“I had to pay the N55, 000 fine imposed on me by the NSCDC operatives because I had no alternative.
The farmers, however, called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to come to their rescue in order to stop the NSCDC officials from harassing and exploiting them.
“We appeal to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to intervene in the interest of peace in the area before the situation degenerates into a full blown crisis,” he said.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of State Command of NSCDC, Ibrahim Abdullahi said the Command was not aware of what was happening with regards to illegal collection of money from farmers by their personnel in the village.
He said the command would conduct a thorough investigation on the matter with a view to finding out the truth.
But, Malam Ibrahim Abdullahi, a spokesperson for the state Command of the NSCDC, has denied the claim.
Abdullahi said in a statement in Kano that the story of farmers’ harrassment was
concocted by mischief makers (farmers) in the Dansoshiya village to discredit and dent the good image of the organization.
“The attention of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano State Command has been drawn to a misleading news story making the rounds, that personnel of the Corps stationed at Dansoshiya grazing reserve allegedly extorted money from farmers.
“This is far from the truth. The NSCDC, Kano Command wishes to state unequivocally that this news (information) is false, untrue, misleading and unfounded. It was concocted by mischief makers in the area (Dansoshiya) to discredit and dent the good image of our organization.
“To set the record straight, the Corps personnel in the area have never collected money nor any gratification from farmers in the name of a fine or a fee for farmland clearance.
“Conversely, it may interest the public that some individuals in the area (Dansoshiya) had on different occasions offered bribes to be allowed to clear land for farming which our operatives declined and turned down.
“Since then, some disgruntled elements (farmers) among them have vowed to smear our name black; a move they’ve started but apparently won’t bear any fruit,” he said.
Abdullahi said no amount of blackmail, mischief making, campaign of calumny and vilification would deter the NSCDC from doing its job of protecting and safeguarding the 3000 hectares of land for Dansoshiya grazing reserve.
“The Corps will ensure vigorous pursuit of this mandate. Encroachment in the 3,000 hectares of land remains illegal. Anybody found in the act of the encroachment will be arrested and legal action instituted against them.
“Already, there is a state High Court order restraining encroachment in the grazing reserve and the Corps has been directed to ensure compliance.
“Sadly, there’s a security report of miscreants planning to cause chaos and disharmony around Dansoshiya in the weekend, the Corps is hereby advising organisers to have a rethink as the Corps will never condone breach of public peace.
“The NSCDC Kano Command, assures unsuspecting peace loving farmers in Kano adequate security and safety of lives in the forthcoming raining season and beyond,” he said.
