Residents of Arkilla State Low-Cost in Sokoto, on Friday, stood up against soldiers deployed to disperse them while staging a protest against alleged attempt by one Alhaji to construct residential quarters on a piece of land that hosts the community’s lone borehole.

The demonstrators, who turned out in large numbers, barricaded the entrance to the site, preventing labourers from commencing work.

During a visit to the area, our correspondent observed protesters holding placards and tree branches, chanting “baza mu yarda ba”, which translates to “we will not allow it.”

Some placards read, “No to illegal construction on our designated polling unit and source of water,” while others declared, “Over our dead bodies will we allow any selfish individual to build on our polling unit.”

Tension escalated when the man allegedly arrived with armed soldiers in a gun truck, who reportedly fired shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

The residents, however, refused to flee, defiantly shouting, “Kill us all.”

The soldiers later withdrew after engaging with community leaders.

Speaking to our reporter, the community secretary, Prince Hali Umar, described the attempted construction as an effort to disenfranchise residents by seizing their long-established polling unit, which also serves as a venue for town hall meetings.

He noted that the land accommodates the only functional borehole serving the community.

“We have submitted formal complaints to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the House Committee on Electoral Matters, the Police, and the Ministry of Land and Housing. We are awaiting their response

“But I assure you, we will not allow any construction here, no matter the intimidation.” he said.

It was gathered that a similar attempt to take over the land was halted more than a decade ago following the intervention of the state government. (Daily Trust)

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