Residents of Dikko in Niger State have protested the reported acquisition of 500 hectares of land by Governor Umaru Bago, alleging that the land was handed over to the Federal Government without compensation to the affected landowners.
The protesters said the move has deepened long-standing grievances over neglect and poor infrastructure in the area, particularly the Maje–Dikko Road, which they described as a federal road that has remained in a deplorable condition for years despite frequent accidents and loss of lives.
They also recalled the tanker explosion that occurred in Dikko, saying victims and affected families have yet to receive adequate support or welfare assistance from the authorities.
According to the residents, the land was taken without consultation or fair compensation, describing the action as land grabbing and unacceptable in a democratic society.
“What benefits have the people of Dikko received from your administration that would justify taking their land and giving it away?” one of the protesters asked, insisting that the community had not seen meaningful development to warrant such a decision.
The protesters further argued that the people of Dikko have endured repeated hardships, including truck accidents and poor road conditions, without corresponding government intervention.
They called on the Federal Government to ensure that any affected landowners are fairly compensated, warning that they would continue to oppose what they described as land grabbing.
