A Bauchi State resident, Musa Azare from Azare in Katagum Local Government Area, has appealed to Governor Bala Mohammed to stop the recurrent creation of new committees on farmland allocation and instead act on recommendations already submitted by previous panels.
In an open letter addressed to the governor, Azare cautioned that repeatedly setting up committees without implementing their findings only breeds inefficiency, drains public funds, and weakens citizens’ confidence in government.
He argued that prompt execution of existing reports would improve land administration, boost agricultural productivity, ease tensions between farmers and herders, and strengthen community relations across the state.
Azare said he became aware through a January 15, 2026 report that the state government had inaugurated yet another committee to oversee farmland allocations in forest reserves by local government councils, ostensibly to curb recurring clashes between farmers and herders.
While acknowledging that the move may appear well-intentioned, he maintained that Bauchi State does not need additional panels but rather firm action on earlier recommendations.
He recalled several past committees, including the Air Commodore Tijjani Baba Gamawa Panel, set up to investigate deadly farmers-herders clashes in Misau Local Government Area that reportedly left nine people dead and six injured.
He also cited the late Surveyor Yahaya Baba Administrative Committee of Inquiry, inaugurated in July 2020 to examine land disputes arising from illegal allocations and misuse of land across the state.
Additionally, he referenced the Mohammed Auwal Jatau Committee on land conflicts in Darazo, which followed violent clashes that claimed several lives, including five police officers.
Despite these efforts, Azare expressed worry over the recent constitution of the Panel on Farmland Allocation in Forest Reserves, chaired by Saleh Umar Misau of the Ministry of Lands and Survey.
He insisted that constant formation of committees wastes time and resources, while non-implementation of their recommendations deepens confusion and fails to resolve land-related crises.
According to him, implementing the Yahaya Baba committee report and the government White Paper would help restore encroached forest reserves, grazing areas, and cattle routes, thereby reducing violence and promoting peaceful coexistence.
He reminded the governor that many of these reserves were officially gazetted in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s and cannot be legally de-reserved or allocated without proper procedures.
Azare alleged that illegal land allocations affect all local government areas in Bauchi State, with large tracts reportedly given to politicians who are neither farmers nor residents, and later sold to outsiders.
He urged the governor to treat the matter with seriousness, saying that focusing solely on resolving illegal land allocation would be a worthwhile legacy.
Azare also noted that the current Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Abdullahi Mohammed Gwaram, and the Special Adviser on Land Matters, Surveyor Yohanna Yashi, both served on the Yahaya Baba committee and are well placed to advise the governor.
He concluded by urging Governor Bala Mohammed to prioritize action over bureaucracy, insisting that decisive leadership would protect farmers and herders, enhance food security, and promote economic growth in Bauchi State.
