Bauchi community kicks as govt proposes allocation of burial ground on ancestral land

Yolan-Bayara Community, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, has opposed allocation of a 470-hectare of land for Christian cemetery by the State Government.

Governor Bala Mohammed had promised to allocate a burial ground for Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) when the body paid Christmas homage to the Government House on December 25, 2022. Mohammed said that he had earlier promised the land in 2021 but was unable to fulfill the pledge.

However, the Yolan-Bayara Community leaders said the State Government is giving to the Christian Community land that does not belong to it.

The Community leaders in a petition signed by Sani Sarki Yakubu and six others yesterday and addressed to the state government and security agencies, said that the Deputy Governor and and members of the Christian community had commenced physical survey of a 470-hectare of land belonging to the natives of Yolan-Bayara without seeking and obtaining consent of the real owners of the land,” they said.

MEANWHILE, Media Aide to the governor, Mukhtar Gidado has said that the governor is yet to allocate the land but would do so in accordance with the exiting laws. According to him, CAN had requested for 50 hectares of land at their preferred location in Yolan-Bayara out of the 470 hectares while technical studies have commenced before formal allocation of the land.

“The Government set up a committee led by the Deputy Governor, while the process of allocation was going on the Muslim Community issued a petition to the Government, claiming ownership of the land. Although, the land is not formally allocated because the government is studying the process.

“The public should therefore know that in allocating land to individuals and association due process must be followed. And where such land belongs to people compensation will be paid. They should also know that both Muslims and Christians have the right to request for land for their cemetery,” he said.