Hausa Christians Cry Out Over Land Dispute, Religious Discrimination In Kaduna Communities

The Hausa Christian Development Initiative (HACDI) has raised alarm over an escalating land dispute and alleged religious discrimination against Hausa Christian communities in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

In a statement issued by its President, Daniel Musa, the group said that farmlands legally owned by a peaceful Hausa Christian farmer, Mr. Ishaya Jarmai, and other villagers in Dogon Fako, Anguwan Tsirya, Kankaru, and Anguwan Chiroma, all in Danlawal Domain, Ikara District, were being forcefully taken by the village head, Sani Sambo Mohammed.

Musa alleged that Mohammed, with the backing of certain influential figures in the Zazzau Emirate, is attempting to seize four farmlands totalling over 40 hectares, despite previous seizures and ongoing legal battles.

“The village head has continued to manipulate the system, even as the case has been investigated by the DSS and adjudicated in court, which affirmed that Mr. Jarmai is the rightful owner,” Musa stated.

The statement recounted that Mr. Jarmai and some family members were unjustly detained in 2023 and again in 2025, allegedly at the instigation of the village head. It also accused Mohammed of escalating the dispute by forwarding the matter to the Zazzau Emirate Council under the pretext that the farmlands were part of a forest reserve (Haràba)—a claim HACDI said is unsubstantiated.

According to Musa, the family was repeatedly denied access to present their defence at the emirate, while the village head boasted that as long as key figures such as the Wazirin Zazzau and Sarkin Ayyuka remained alive, Mr. Jarmai would never reclaim his land.

The crisis reportedly turned violent when, despite a restraining court order issued on 10 July 2025 by the High Court of Justice, Dogarawa, Zaria, armed thugs loyal to the village head invaded the disputed lands on 20 July 2025. They allegedly destroyed germinating maize and rice crops worth millions of naira and attacked members of Jarmai’s family who were documenting the destruction.

“These attacks have instilled fear in the surrounding villages, and residents are threatened with lethal consequences if they intervene,” Musa said.

HACDI claimed that although the Zaria Area Command documented victims’ statements, police officers demanded money before making arrests. Even after payment, the alleged attackers were only “invited” to appear five days later, according to the group.

The statement demanded urgent intervention by both state and federal authorities to:

Enforce the restraining court order and halt illegal farming on the seized lands.

Ensure the safety and protection of minority communities in the affected villages.

Investigate and prosecute all individuals involved in the violence and alleged abuse of power.

HACDI emphasised that the case reflects broader religious marginalisation in Northern Nigeria and vowed to continue advocating for justice.

“We stand firmly for the rule of law and the dignity of all citizens, regardless of faith or status,” the statement declared, calling for an end to what it described as oppression “under the guise of tradition, politics, or religion.”

The group urged security agencies and the Kaduna State Government to protect vulnerable Hausa Christian communities and prevent further escalation of the conflict.