RismadarVoice Reporters, June 24, 2026
Residents of Diko Community in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State on Wednesday staged a protest against the allocation of approximately 500 hectares of farmland to Abuja Steel Mills Limited for the development of a solar farm and industrial park.
The demonstrators, comprising youths, women, community elders and traditional masquerades, marched to the proposed project site, expressing opposition to the land acquisition and demanding that the allocation be reversed.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans in their local language, the protesters insisted that the land holds ancestral significance and should not be transferred without the consent of the community.
Some residents alleged that representatives of the company had previously attempted to conduct mineral exploration activities in the area despite reportedly presenting the project as an agricultural initiative.
According to community members, equipment allegedly used for mining activities had earlier been confiscated and handed over to law enforcement authorities before it was subsequently released.
One resident, who requested anonymity, accused the state government of failing to fully disclose the nature of the project, claiming that the planned activities extended beyond agriculture and could involve mining operations.
Another resident, identified as Aishatu, described the development as troubling and expressed concerns about the potential impact on farmers whose livelihoods depend on the affected land.
The protesters appealed to the state government to reconsider the allocation, warning that the loss of large portions of farmland could have adverse economic and social consequences for the community.
The demonstration comes days after the Niger State Government formally handed over the land to Abuja Steel Mills Limited during a groundbreaking ceremony for the project.
Speaking at the event, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago described the solar farm and industrial park as a strategic investment designed to accelerate industrialisation, attract investors and create employment opportunities for residents.
The governor said the initiative forms part of the administration’s broader economic development agenda aimed at positioning Niger State as a major destination for industrial investment.
He also disclosed plans to designate approximately 200,000 hectares of land stretching from Diko to Tafa along the Kaduna border for industrial purposes, citing the strategic advantage of the AKK gas pipeline and the state’s vast land resources.
