By Khalid Idris Doya
A Bauchi State High Court presided over by Justice Aliyu Bin Idris has warned the Department of State Services (DSS) against violating a subsisting injunction restraining it from entering a disputed a vast piece of land located in Firo village, Ganjuwa local government area of the state.
Justice Idris issued the warning on Thursday during proceedings in suit No. BA/251/2026, filed by the landowners, Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi, Ishaq Mohammed Kobi and Murtala Isma'il.
The plaintiffs instituted the suit against the Bauchi State Ministry of Lands and Survey, the Attorney General of Bauchi State, and the State Security Service (DSS), Bauchi State Command.
The court reaffirmed its earlier order restraining the DSS and officials of the Ministry of Lands and Survey from interfering with the disputed land situated along Gubi Dam area in Firo village, pending the determination of the case.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the claimants, Barr. Abdullatif Gwani Isa, said the suit was filed by landowners who claim lawful ownership and possession of the property.
He alleged that DSS operatives, in collaboration with some officials of the Ministry of Lands and Survey, recently entered the farmland without prior notice, consultation, consent, or lawful authority and began assessing and marking it for possible acquisition on behalf of the DSS.
According to Isa, the claimants approached the court to protect their rights and subsequently obtained an interim injunction restraining the defendants from interfering with their possession of the land pending the hearing and determination of the matter.
He said the court reiterated the need for the DSS and Ministry officials to strictly comply with its orders following allegations that activities were still ongoing on the land despite the subsisting injunction.
"The court restrained both the DSS and officials of the Ministry of Lands from entering the farmland for purposes of acquisition, compensation assessment, or demarcation until due legal procedures are followed," he stated.
Barr. Isa explained that while the Ministry of Lands had filed and served its response to the suit on the claimants, the DSS had yet to file any response.
He noted that the matter, scheduled for hearing of a motion on notice seeking an interlocutory injunction, was adjourned because the Ministry had not completed service of its processes on the DSS.
The lawyer added that Justice Idris again cautioned counsel representing the DSS and the Ministry to ensure their clients complied fully with the court's orders pending the next hearing date.
Isa maintained that the claimants were not opposed to any lawful acquisition of the land by the government, provided the provisions of the Land Use Act were strictly followed, including the issuance of acquisition notices and payment of adequate compensation where applicable.
He expressed confidence that justice would prevail at the conclusion of the case.
Also speaking, Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi said she and the other claimants were the lawful owners of the land, having acquired title through legitimate purchases and allocations granted by the Ganjuwa local government authority.
She stated that since acquiring the property, they had exercised uninterrupted ownership and possession, including farming activities and the demarcation of plots for sale, without interference until the events that led to the current dispute.
According to her, in 2020, the Ministry of Lands acquired portions of land from several individuals to facilitate the establishment of an SSS training school.
She argued that the acquisition was limited to a clearly defined area and did not extend to the land currently in dispute.
Fatima further disclosed that in 2024, the SSS expressed interest in purchasing additional plots from her. However, after she submitted a letter indicating her willingness to sell, the agency allegedly failed to respond, prompting her to continue marketing the plots to interested buyers.
She alleged that the DSS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Survey, later entered the claimants' land without lawful authorisation, acquisition notices, or compensation payments.
According to her, the agency commenced the installation of beacons and demarcation of the land in what she described as an attempt to unlawfully annex the property.
Fatima also alleged that agents of the DSS issued threats to the claimants, warning that anyone who entered or worked on the land would be shot, thereby depriving them of their ownership and possessory rights.
She lamented that part of the disputed land belonged to orphans under her care and appealed to the court to ensure justice was served.
Justice Aliyu Bin Idris subsequently adjourned the matter to July 16, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice after granting time for proper serving of DSS with Lands ministry's response.
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