The family of the late Haliru Dantoro, Emir of Borgu, has renewed their call for federal government intervention in what they describe as a prolonged case of land exploitation by Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited.

The family is urging relevant government agencies, security authorities, and concerned individuals to take immediate action to address the mistreatment and violation of human rights by the company.

The disputed land, located in New Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area ofNiger State, has been used as a quarry site for a federal road rehabilitation project since 2019, without the family’s consent, according to a statement issued by the family.

The road project, a 79-kilometre stretch between New Bussa and Kaiama, was awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

However, the family claims that Gilmor Engineering began quarrying and extracting minerals on their property without any prior consultation or agreement, thereby ignoring their rights as landowners.

Repeated efforts to engage Gilmor Engineering in dialogue over the years, the family states, have reportedly been met with silence as the family alleges that the company has shown “blatant disregard for due process, lawful conduct, and the rights of our family,” causing them significant emotional and economic distress.

“The unjust and unauthorized exploitation has caused us significant distress, and we believe no organization should act as though they are above the laws of Nigeria,” the family stated in their appeal.

The family also highlighted the economic impact of the situation, noting that the unauthorized occupation of the land has prevented them from pursuing other lucrative business opportunities.

Potential investors interested in using the land have reportedly been deterred by Gilmor’s continued presence, resulting in substantial financial losses for the family.

In their appeal, the family called on the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Ministry of Lands, the Niger State government, and security agencies to intervene in the matter.

They also appealed to the friends and associates of the late Emir to support their quest for justice and fairness.

“This troubling situation must be addressed swiftly to uphold the principles of law and equity,” they said.

It would be recalled that some months ago, a member of the family had raised concerns over the exploitation and use of the family land for quarrying and mineral extraction by Gilmore Engineering.

The family said that they were dismayed over the poor response the call had received, which prompted them to issue the statement.

Efforts to reach Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report. (Courtesy, excluding headline, The Nation)