Residents of Garin Barau village in the Zudai District of Bali Local Government Council, Taraba State, have accused council chairman Aboki Dauda of instigating conflict between neighboring villages.

Community leader Mallam Abdul Hassan told journalists on Thursday that the ongoing tension stems from the chairman's forceful confiscation of land.


Hassan noted that Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and the state chairman of the council of chiefs, Adda Alli, had previously issued directives emphasizing the importance of resolving land disputes through proper channels to prevent conflicts.

Despite these directives, the council chairman allegedly bypassed traditional rulers in resolving land matters within his jurisdiction, which the community claims have escalated the tension.

In response, Chairman Dauda defended his actions, stating that the disputed land originally belonged to the Kaigama Chiefdom, despite being inhabited by people of Jibu extraction.

He asserted that his actions were in line with the policies of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.