Youths Accuse Chief of Dampar of Selling Village Head Titles To Strangers

 

Tensions are escalating in Dampar Chiefdom as youths from several villages have raised serious allegations against the traditional ruler, AlhajiHashimu Mohammed Adinga, accusing him of selling village head titles to non-indigenes for monetary gain.

 

According to the protesting youths from Kwalla, Koso, Kogin Wase, and neighboring communities, the Chief is allegedly offering village head titles to non-indigenous individuals for as much as N1.5 million—an act they say violates the customs and traditions of the chiefdom.

 

The discontent reached a boiling point as the Chief prepared to install new village heads on April 15, a move the youths are strongly opposing.

 

Speaking to journalists, a youth leader, Mr. SamilaDampar, expressed deep concern over what he described as "a dangerous departure from tradition."

 

"The selection of strangers as village heads is unacceptable. It undermines our heritage and poses serious security risks to the community," he said.

 

The youths are demanding the immediate suspension of the coronation and are calling on the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as Taraba State Governor, Dr. AgbuKefas, to intervene.

 

They are urging the state government to investigate the alleged sale of traditional titles and ensure that only qualified indigenes are selected in accordance with the customs of the land.

 

"There can be no peace if tradition is sold to the highest bidder," one protester said. "This process must be suspended indefinitely until justice is done."

 

As of press time, efforts to reach the Chief of Dampar for comment were unsuccessful. However, community sources indicate that there may be growing unrest if the coronation proceeds as planned.