Hausa Christians Accuse Ikara Traditional Ruler of Rights Violations

Tensions are rising in the Danlawal Domain of Ikara Local Government Area following allegations by the Hausa Christian Development Initiative (HACDI) of systematic land seizure and religiously motivated persecution targeting Hausa Christians in the area.

In a press statement issued on Monday, August 4, 2025, HACDI described what it called “a disturbing pattern of oppression,” citing recent events in the communities of Dogon Fako, Anguwan Tsirya, Kankaru, and Anguwan Chiroma. The group said Christian residents in these communities are being subjected to intimidation, destruction of property, and deliberate denial of justice—often with the backing of traditional authorities.

At the centre of the escalating controversy is Mr. Ishaya Jarmai, a Hausa Christian farmer whose 40-hectare farmland is allegedly being forcefully taken over by the Danlawal village head, Alhaji Sani Sambo Mohammed. HACDI claims that Mr. Jarmai’s land was lawfully acquired and has been under his cultivation for several years, with official documents and findings from multiple investigations—including one reportedly conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS) affirming his ownership.

In the press release signed by HACDI President Dr. Daniel Musa, the group alleged that despite overwhelming evidence confirming Jarmai’s legal ownership, the village head has continued to encroach upon the land, recently escalating the matter to the Emirate Council of Zazzau. Alhaji Mohammed has argued that the farmland is part of a protected forest reserve, a claim HACDI refutes, saying no government documentation exists to support the assertion.

“This is not just a land matter it’s a human rights issue,” Dr. Musa said. “What we are witnessing is a systematic effort to dispossess Hausa Christians of their heritage, livelihood, and dignity. It is a clear case of discrimination on religious grounds, masked as a land dispute.”

HACDI also accused local authorities of turning a blind eye to the issue, alleging that law enforcement agencies have failed to enforce the findings of their investigations, thereby emboldening what the group described as “the continued abuse of power by traditional rulers.”

The group called on the Kaduna State Government, human rights organizations, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to intervene urgently to prevent further injustice and potential violence in the area.

“This matter has implications beyond Ikara it speaks to the broader need for equality, justice, and the protection of minority rights in northern Nigeria,” the statement added.

As of press time, neither the Emirate Council of Zazzau nor the village head, Alhaji Sani Sambo Mohammed, had responded to requests for comment.

The unfolding dispute highlights the complex intersection of land ownership, traditional authority, and religious identity in parts of Nigeria, and raises broader questions about minority rights and access to justice in rural communities.