Ten years after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) designated 9,000 hectares of land in Kawu, Bwari Area Council, for a grazing reserve, affected communities have accused authorities of failing to pay compensation while allowing widespread encroachment on their ancestral lands.

The grazing reserve initiative was announced in 2016 by former FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, following complaints about cattle grazing within Abuja city and along major highways. The policy was aimed at relocating herders from the city centre to designated grazing reserves across the territory.

Under the arrangement, the FCTA earmarked 33,485 hectares across Paikon Kore, Karshi, Kawu, and Rubochi to accommodate an estimated seven million cattle.

Communities Allege Encroachment, Loss of Farmlands

Residents of Kurmi Dauda and other affected communities said the relocation policy has resulted in increasing land disputes, destruction of farmlands, and loss of livelihoods.

The Chief of Kurmi Dauda, Musa Manasseh Bawa, alleged that herders have continued to occupy farmlands, claiming the government allocated the land to them.

According to him, residents frequently wake up to discover that their cultivated lands have been taken over without consultation or official documentation.

Bawa lamented that farming activities, including the cultivation of beans, yam, banana, and other crops, have been severely affected, while some economic trees have reportedly been destroyed by grazing cattle.

Government Returns With Development Projects

In September 2025, the Federal Government resumed activities at the Kawu Grazing Reserve as part of efforts to relocate herders and modernise livestock production.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, inaugurated a solar-powered borehole and announced plans for extensive infrastructure development, including roads, irrigation facilities, schools, healthcare centres, security installations, markets, and pasture production centres.

The minister described the project as a major intervention aimed at transforming the reserve into a modern livestock hub capable of supporting thousands of herders and their families.

Landowners Say They Were Excluded

Despite the government’s renewed investments, community leaders insist that they were neither consulted nor compensated before the land was converted into a grazing reserve.

Bawa stated that approximately 12 communities have ancestral claims to the affected land, with some villages still residing within the reserve while others continue to farm there.

He called on the FCTA to immediately demarcate the reserve to clearly define the boundaries between host communities and grazing areas.

According to him, proper demarcation would significantly reduce conflicts and prevent further encroachment.

Similarly, the Mai Angwa of Anguwan Rana, Yunana Bebe, appealed to the government to reduce the size of the grazing reserve and establish clear boundaries to ensure peaceful coexistence.

OIDA Raises Alarm Over Security Concerns

The Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA) said repeated complaints to government authorities have yielded little response.

The association disclosed that it wrote several petitions to the FCT Administration and security agencies, warning that the influx of herders from neighbouring states had heightened tensions and security concerns in affected communities.

OIDA President, Pastor Danladi Jeji, warned that the situation could deteriorate into a major crisis if urgent action is not taken.

According to him, communities are becoming increasingly frustrated over what they perceive as injustice and neglect by relevant authorities.

FCTA Confirms Compensation Yet to Be Paid

Officials of the Department of Resettlement and Compensation of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) confirmed that compensation has not been paid to affected communities.

An official explained that compensation processes can only begin after the appropriate authority formally initiates the exercise and requests the department’s supervision.

However, no timeline was provided regarding when such payments might commence.

Livestock Ministry Distances Itself From Compensation

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development acknowledged that the grazing reserve project remains a priority but stated that compensation issues fall outside its direct mandate.

The ministry said it continues to engage relevant authorities while developing frameworks to regulate access to the reserve and protect host communities.

However, it did not disclose specific timelines for resolving compensation claims or completing stakeholder engagements.

Legal Expert Cites Land Use Act

Legal practitioner Isaac Steven said the Land Use Act clearly outlines the government’s powers and obligations regarding land acquisition.

According to him, while Section 28 permits land revocation for overriding public interest, Section 29 mandates the payment of adequate compensation to affected landowners and occupiers.

He argued that if compensation has indeed not been paid, affected communities may have legal grounds to challenge the acquisition.

Steven advised community leaders to pursue dialogue with the FCT Administration while also exploring legal remedies if negotiations fail.

Growing Calls for Urgent Intervention

As infrastructure projects continue at the Kawu Grazing Reserve, community leaders are demanding immediate demarcation of the reserve, payment of compensation, and stronger safeguards to protect their remaining farmlands.

They warned that failure to address the grievances of host communities could further escalate tensions and undermine the objectives of the grazing reserve programme.

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Bwari Area Council Chairman, John Gabaya, has presented a N30.6 billion appropriation bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the council’s legislative arm for consideration and approval.

Gabaya unveiled the proposal on Wednesday in Abuja, describing it as a budget aimed at consolidating developmental gains and strengthening service delivery for sustainable growth.

Breakdown of the Bwari 2026 Budget

According to the chairman, the total budget stands at N30.6 billion. Capital expenditure accounts for N22.9 billion, while N7.6 billion is allocated to recurrent expenditure.

He explained that the 2026 appropriation prioritises the completion of ongoing projects initiated in 2025. The proposal also marks the final budget presentation of his administration, which is scheduled to conclude in June 2026.

Gabaya noted that the budget provides an opportunity to sustain existing projects and ensure a smooth transition to the incoming administration.

Focus on Service Delivery and Revenue

The Bwari 2026 budget is structured to strengthen service delivery across critical sectors and improve the council’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Gabaya stated that the appropriation framework is designed to promote accountability and transparency while enhancing the socio-economic welfare of residents. He added that it would lay a foundation for continuity of development beyond his tenure.

The chairman acknowledged prevailing economic realities, including fluctuating national revenue, inflationary pressures, and rising demand for infrastructure and public services. Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to projects that directly impact communities within the council.

Achievements Under Review

Gabaya highlighted collaborative efforts between the executive and legislative arms, which enabled the execution of several developmental projects, with others nearing completion.

He also disclosed that the council successfully implemented the newly approved minimum wage for its staff within the year under review. In addition, the administration addressed outstanding pension deductions, improved payroll management, and strengthened monitoring of government programmes within the area council.

Legislature Pledges Swift Consideration

Responding to the presentation, the Speaker of the council, Dogara Ahmed, commended the chairman for infrastructural improvements that have boosted economic and social activities within Bwari.

Ahmed expressed optimism that revenue inflows from statutory allocations, IGR, and other sources would improve to support effective implementation of the budget.

He assured residents that lawmakers would diligently scrutinise the Bwari 2026 budget and pass it promptly to facilitate early commencement of projects.

“A well-crafted budget is not an end in itself but lies in its effective implementation,” he noted.

The proposed appropriation now awaits legislative review and approval as the council prepares for its final fiscal cycle under the current administration.

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A 16-year-old boy and six teenage girls have been abducted by armed bandits in Gidan-Bijimi, a settlement in Kawu ward of Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Residents told our source that the community, which borders Marke village near Kaduna State, came under attack around 9:47 pm on Wednesday. Armed men carrying AK-47 rifles broke into two homes and took the girls—aged between 17 and 23—along with the teenage boy.

Suleiman Shuaibu, a resident of Kawu, confirmed the incident during a phone call on Thursday morning. He said the bandits fired repeatedly during the invasion, forcing residents into panic.

Some community vigilantes attempted to confront the attackers but were overpowered by their superior weapons.

Shuaibu added that many residents fled their homes out of fear, and no contact has been made with the kidnappers.

Efforts to reach SP Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not responded to at the time of reporting.

The incident occurred barely 48 hours after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ordered tighter security across Abuja, especially at border points linking neighbouring states. Following his directive, a joint security taskforce involving the police, DSS, military and other agencies was deployed across the territory.

FCT Police Commissioner, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, had also instructed the operatives to work in synergy and eliminate criminal threats. He noted that the minister had provided adequate logistics to support the operation and enhance residents’ safety.

Source: Daily trust 

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