Plateau: Gyel community youths threaten protest over land deals
NAN-H-56
Protest
Jos, Sept. 30, 2016 (NAN) Some youths of Gyel community in the Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau have threatened to embark on a street protest over alleged illegal land deals by some influential elders in connivance with the clan head.
Solomon Dung, Spokesman of the youths, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos that the clan head of Gyel and some influential elders had forcefully taken away their communal farmlands without their consent.
Dung said that their proposed agitation had the support of their parents, whose lands had been invaded by a private firm, Vicampro Agricultural Company, which claimed to have received authority from the clan head.
He said that elders in the five communities that make up Gyel suddenly woke up to discover that they had lost their only means of livelihood as they are predominantly farmers.
According to him, the company has moved into their communal farmlands without prior notice.
He said all attempts to determine those behind the land deals proved futile as the clan head, Danga Nga Dangyang, and Nyam Dare, who represents Jos South Local Government in the State House of Assembly, had denied knowledge.
Dung called for the intervention of the Plateau Government in the matter as no fewer than 2,000 youths had been mobilised for the protest.
He said that the youths had written to the Police, the Governor’s office and the State House of Assembly on their intention to march on Jos to show their disapproval to the land deals.
Dung said the protest would begin from D.B. Zang and terminate at the assembly premises.
However, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adekunle Oladunjoye, said he had yet to receive any letter from the aggrieved youths.
“When I see the letter, I will treat it on its own merit.
“They should write; if elders are not the ones fighting, then something is actually happening.
“It is important for us to always dialogue because if the company takes over their land, it is the youths who will be employed.
“If you can see them, tell them there is no need to fight,” he said. (NAN)
ECN/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo
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