Jindu Fadama Farmland Dispute Finally Settled, Court Cases to Be Withdrawn

The long-standing dispute over Jindu Fadama farmland in Usmanu community, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, has been amicably resolved following a peace agreement brokered by the Karim Lamido Local Government Peace and Reconciliation Committee.

The resolution, which is expected to usher in lasting peace and renewed development, was reached after the intervention of the committee led by its chairman, Sule Abasu, during a recent visit to the area. The disputing parties—Danlami Hamman Shomo and the Palace of the Village Head of Usmanu—agreed to end hostilities and embrace dialogue in the overall interest of the community.

Under the terms of the agreement, farming and other economic activities are to resume fully in the Jindu Fadama area, while all pending court cases arising from the dispute will be formally withdrawn.

The settlement further apportioned 25 per cent of the disputed land to the Palace of the Village Head of Usmanu, while 75 per cent will remain with the Danlami Hamman Shomo family. Other portions of farmland belonging to residents of Usmanu community are also to be released to their rightful owners.

It was clarified during the reconciliation process that the protracted court cases, which had nearly torn Usmanu village and affected peace across Karim Lamido LGA, were based on misconceptions. The committee revealed that the dispute was not between the Shomo and Wurkun tribes, as widely believed, but between the family of Hamma Shomo and the Usmanu community, represented by the village head.

Although the matter was already on appeal at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee successfully resolved the dispute, with the Hamma Shomo family agreeing to withdraw the case from the apex court in line with the peace agreement.

Speaking after the signing of the accord, the Village Head of Usmanu, Alhaji Junaidu Abubakar Kawu, described the agreement as a demonstration of genuine commitment to peace and unity. He commended the committee for its fairness and diligence, urging it to continue promoting justice to ensure sustained harmony. Kawu also called on residents who fled the community during the crisis to return home, assuring them that normalcy had been restored.

In his remarks, Danlami Hamman Shomo said the agreement reflected his family's willingness to make sacrifices for peace, including conceding part of the land to the village head's palace. He thanked the committee for its maturity and dedication to achieving a lasting solution.

Another community member, Abdullahi Danlami Nasha, expressed satisfaction with the outcome and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to peaceful coexistence.

Earlier, Sule Abasu applauded all parties for their cooperation throughout the reconciliation process. He warned youths against fomenting trouble and called on them to support government policies and programmes aimed at peace and human development.

Beyond Usmanu, the committee also recorded progress in resolving other communal conflicts within the local government. It successfully settled disputes between Bandawa and Fulani communities, with a peace accord already signed. The Manga Dosso and Fulani conflict has been resolved by about 90 per cent, with the committee set to return to Karim to witness the formal signing of the final agreement.

Similarly, the Munga Lelau community has agreed to coexist peacefully with the Fulani, while arrangements are underway for the committee, alongside security agencies, to escort the Fulani to Munga Lelau for the signing of a peace accord. The Wurkun (Kodei) and Karinjo communities have also reached an understanding, with the committee expected to witness the final agreement soon.

The Peace and Reconciliation Committee also disclosed plans to visit Didango Old Muri to mediate in disputes involving Wurkun (Balasa) and Karinjo (Gaita), Wurkun and Shomo, as well as Karinjo (Gaita), Shomo and Didango communities.

In addition, the committee said it is intensifying efforts to address banditry and kidnapping along the borders with Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, with a view to advising governments at all levels on effective security measures.

With the resolution of the Jindu Fadama dispute—described as the only major fadama-related conflict in the Karim Lamido axis—residents of Usmanu community are hopeful that years of tension and instability will give way to peace, unity and sustainable development.