Kaduna Communities Accuse NAF of Encroachment, Demand Compensation for Ancestral Lands

By Al-Amin Ciroma 

Barakallahu and Kauyen Liman residents urge federal, state governments to intervene as dispute over military land acquisition escalates

The National Lens reports that the Barakallahu and Kauyen Liman communities in Kaduna State have appealed to the federal and state governments to intervene in their longstanding land dispute with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), accusing the military of continuing construction and fencing activities on their ancestral lands without settling the outstanding compensation.

The communities, under the Barakallahu and Kauyen Liman Community Development Association, said the dispute had gone through several stages, including court proceedings and the establishment of a joint committee by the immediate past Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar, to find an amicable resolution.

Addressing a world press conference, the association’s chairman, ESV. Jibrilla Madu Gadzama, said an 11-member committee comprising Air Force officers and community representatives was constituted through a convening order dated December 5, 2025, to examine the dispute and negotiate a settlement.

According to the association, the committee held meetings at the 543 Base Support Group (BSG) Conference Room at the NAF Base in Kaduna, including physical verification of the disputed boundaries.

The association said the committee’s report was submitted to the NAF headquarters by its chairman, retired Air Vice Marshal IH Muhammad, in July 2025. However, it expressed frustration over what it described as the military authorities’ failure to respond to repeated letters and other communications seeking the implementation of the committee’s recommendations.

Gadzama said the community leadership had written to the NAF headquarters on December 8, 2025, and sent reminders on June 15 and July 11, 2026, without receiving a response.

He added that a meeting convened by the commander of the 543 BSG at the NAF Base in Kaduna on October 2, 2026, raised hopes of a peaceful settlement. However, the association alleged that the Air Force subsequently issued quit and ejection notices to Gwari and Fulani residents still occupying the affected areas.

The association further accused the military of deploying contractors to continue fencing the disputed land and undertaking major construction projects, including about 11 structures, access roads and drainage facilities.

It claimed that armed Air Force personnel had been deployed to secure the area, preventing community members from accessing parts of the land and interfering with the ongoing work.

The association maintained that these activities were proceeding before the outstanding compensation and relocation arrangements had been concluded.

At the heart of the communities’ demand is the implementation of what they described as the joint committee’s recommendations, including payment of negotiated compensation, resettlement of affected residents and the provision of essential infrastructure at an alternative location designated for relocation.

“We are peace makers and lovers, hoping and willing to end this dispute amicably,” the association said, appealing to the authorities to ensure a fair and lasting resolution rather than allowing the disagreement to escalate.

The chairman also questioned what he described as unequal treatment in the handling of land compensation, alleging that one Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura had received full payment before the land dispute arose, while other affected landowners were yet to be compensated.

He urged the current leadership of the Nigerian Air Force to review its records and ensure that all affected landowners were treated fairly.

The association stressed that its appeal was not intended to undermine the military but to secure justice for the affected communities through a peaceful and transparent settlement.

The Nigerian Air Force’s response to the allegations was not included in the press statement made available to The National Lens. The claims, including the status of the committee’s report, the compensation arrangements and the legal basis for the ongoing development, could not be independently verified from the statement alone.

The dispute now places renewed focus on the need for transparent land acquisition procedures, timely compensation and constructive engagement between security institutions and host communities, particularly where ancestral land and the livelihoods of residents are involved.