The family of the late Haliru Dantoro, Emir of Borgu, is appealing to the federal government for urgent intervention in a long-running land dispute.
The family accuses Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited of exploiting their land in New Bussa, Niger State, without their consent.
The land in question has been used as a quarry site for a federal road rehabilitation project that started in 2019.
This quarrying project, part of a 79-kilometre road between New Bussa and Kaiama, was awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
However, the family claims that Gilmor Engineering began quarrying and extracting minerals on their property without any consultation or permission.
In a statement issued by the family, they expressed outrage over what they called “blatant disregard for due process, lawful conduct, and our family’s rights.”
“We have tried several times to engage Gilmor Engineering, but they have ignored us,” the family said in their appeal.
This has left the family frustrated, as their attempts to resolve the matter through dialogue have been unsuccessful.
“The company has violated our rights, and we believe that no organisation should act as though they are above the laws of Nigeria,” the family added.
They also pointed out the significant emotional and financial distress caused by the situation.
The family claims that the continued quarrying on their land has prevented them from pursuing other profitable opportunities.
“The presence of Gilmor Engineering has deterred potential investors who were interested in using our land,” the family explained.
This, they say, has led to considerable financial losses for the family.
In light of these challenges, the family is calling on several government bodies to intervene.
They have appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Ministry of Lands, the Niger State government, and security agencies to take immediate action.
They are also asking friends and associates of the late Emir to support their efforts in seeking justice and fairness.
“This situation must be addressed quickly, so that the principles of law and equity can be upheld,” the family stated.
The family’s call for help follows months of unsuccessful attempts to address the situation.
One of the family members had raised concerns earlier about Gilmor Engineering’s actions, but they say the response was poor.
This lack of action prompted them to issue the recent statement, urging the government to step in.
“We have been left with no choice but to ask for federal intervention,” the family concluded.
Despite the family’s efforts to resolve the matter, attempts to contact Gilmor Engineering for a response have been unsuccessful.
The company has not yet commented on the issue.
This land dispute continues to generate concern among locals in the Borgu area, as it highlights issues of land rights and corporate accountability.
The Emir’s family is determined to pursue justice, hoping that government intervention will bring a swift resolution to the matter. As the dispute drags on, the family’s hope for a fair settlement rests on the actions of
