Ahmadu Bello University’s College of Agriculture and Animal Science (CAAS), Mando, in Kaduna, has lamented non-adherence to a court order stopping the Kaduna State government and its agencies from forceful take over of its land.
Provost of the College, Dr. Hassan Hamidu, while briefing newsmen in Kaduna, said that the encroachment had exposed the school to security threats.
The Provost said, “Despite a court order, dated 18th January, 2022, restraining the government and its agencies from encroaching on the College land, the agencies have moved in to demolish the school fence and started clearing its land”.
He added that the Court order stated categorically that the Kaduna State government and its agencies should restrain from trespassing, entering and or carrying out any action on the said land till after the determination of the suit.
Hamidu further explained that according to the order signed by Jafaru Ibrahim, the Registrar of the Kaduna State High Court, Zaria Division, the order shall subsist pending the determination of the Motion on Notice already filed, along with the Writs of Summons and Statement of Claim.
According to him, the demolition of the fence allegedly carried out by the State government agencies had exposed the College, staff and students to security threats, considering the ravaging cases of kidnapping and banditry in that axis. He explained that he views the action of the Kaduna State government as a desperate act to take over the College’s land.
According to Hamidu, in 2012, a committee, headed by the then Comptroller of Works and Housing, was set up to demarcate the land between the College of Agriculture and the Fed. Ministry of Agriculture, explaining that while submitting its reports in 2014, the committee advised the Mando College to fence its entire boundary to prevent further encroachment, which was duly carried out and has been serving as a grazing area for the college’s livestock.
He, however, noted that despite the fencing that was done, attempts were made to take the land from the College.
It was observed that bulldozers were pulling down the fence and clearing the land.
The Director-General of KADGIS, Mrs. Altine Jibrin, when contacted, declined comments on the matter, saying it was still in court. She also declined further comment on the bulldozers sighted by newsmen at the site. She simply stated that the agency does not operate with bulldozers.
