Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has assured indigenous people of Tunga-Maje in Gwagwalada Area Council that the dispute over a parcel of land allegedly encroached upon by the Nigerian Army will be resolved amicably by the highest authorities.
She gave the assurance when she visited part of the disputed land while promising the indigenous people and traditional heads that justice would be done to both warring parties.
The minister commended the community for not taking laws into their hands, while assuring that if the disputed land was allocated to the Nigerian Army, resettlement and adequate compensation would be made to the natives.
According to her, “I must sincerely extend my appreciation to both the chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council and Abuja Municipal Area Council for calling on FCT Administration and the trust that the administration can resolve this lingering land dispute.
“I must also appreciate the Agura of Zuba and the indigenous people of Tunga-maje for your calm conducts. You have demonstrated that you are indeed law abiding citizens.
“From the narration of the Agura, it has been a painful moment, but hopefully this time around, we will be able to take it to the appropriate quarters where the needful will be done.
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“If indeed the land is allocated from the federal authorities to the Nigerian Army, of course, consideration must be made for a new place to relocate to and of course to settle you by compensation.
“But, before then, we will not jump the gun. Therefore, we want you to be law abiding as we go back to revisit the issues. Justice must be done. I want to appeal to you to be law abiding because the matter is not beyond the authorities to handle,” Aliyu assured.
Earlier, Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Adamu Mustapha Danze, revealed that since his inauguration four years ago, the battle to reclaim the disputed land from the Nigerian Army had been vehemently resisted with its attendant casualties.
Danze, said that despite the intervention of the National Assembly through various public hearings, innocent lives had been lost through the Army bullets, adding that the orphans from such senseless killings had become burdens to both Gwagwalada and Abuja Municipal Area Councils.
The council boss appealed to the FCT Minister of State and other relevant authorities to use their good offices to resolve the issue.
The minister was received by the Agura of Zuba, HRH. Mohammad Umar Bello, who also told the minister of the pains the community has gone through since the beginning of the crisis.
