Bauchi Government revokes farmlands in Darazo Grazing Reserves

Bauchi State Government has revoked all farmland allocations within Aliya and Yautare Grazing Reserves in Darazo Local Government Area, following the report of the high-powered committee set up to investigate the recent farmers–herders crisis in the area.

Speaking during a press conference, the state Deputy Governor, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, explained that the two grazing reserves — covering 42,000 hectares at Aliya and 41,500 hectares at Yautare were originally established as a forest reserves in 1953, and later designated as grazing reserves through a state gazette in 1986.

He said the state government decided to re-establish the grazing reserves as part of efforts to enhance food security, restore order, and address displacement of farmers affected by ecological projects in Darazo.

The Deputy Governor explained that farmers who are yet to harvest their crops have been given permission to do so and vacate thereafter permanently.

Auwal Jatau disclosed that while the governor had earlier approved the allocation of 2,500 hectares each to the two grazing reserves, the implementation process was marred by irregularities that led to unauthorized allocation of the entire reserves, sparking violent clashes between farmers and herders, destruction of farmlands, and loss of lives and property.

He added that the government will review the allocation process in line with due process and in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, emphasizing that the administration remains committed to justice, equity, and peaceful coexistence among communities.

The Deputy Governor also reaffirmed Governor Bala Mohammed administration’s resolve to safeguard public assets and prevent the misuse of government designated reserves, stressing that any form of encroachment will henceforth attract strict penalties.

It will be recalled that the high-powered committee on the Darazo farmers–herders crisis, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, was mandated by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the conflict between farmers and herders in Aliya and Yautare areas of Darazo Local Government.

Its terms of reference included, identifying the root causes of the clashes, examining the circumstances surrounding the irregular farmland allocations within the grazing reserves, assessing the level of destruction and loss of lives or property, engaging stakeholders such as traditional rulers, security agencies, farmers’ and herders’ associations, and finally, recommending sustainable peace-building measures and appropriate policy actions to prevent a recurrence and ensure justice, fairness, and peaceful coexistence among the affected communities.