Daniel Chega, the District Head of Miango in Bassa Local Government Area, has called on President Tinubu to release compensation for land taken in 1972. The acquisition was for Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Jos, which houses the 3rd Armoured Division.
Chega made his plea on Friday while addressing affected residents in Miango District. The gathering included youths, widows, orphans and other community stakeholders.
For over five decades, the traditional ruler said, families have waited without payment. The prolonged delay has created severe economic hardship across the area.
According to him, the Federal Government took the farmlands but failed to compensate those who lost their livelihoods. "No payment has been made and no clear timeline communicated," Chega told reporters.
A joint assessment of the affected properties was conducted years ago. Officials from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Ministry of Defence, and Plateau State's Lands Ministry participated in the evaluation.
Consultants also worked on the project, and their report went to the Defence Ministry. But nothing has followed since then.
Chega noted that his people have shown remarkable patience over the decades. He warned, however, that the continued wait is now threatening peace within affected communities.
The paramount ruler recently led community representatives to meet with Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters. Masari sympathised with their situation and promised to help.
Chega has also appealed directly to the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs, and Defence Minister Christopher Musa. He urged them to intervene and ensure the compensation is paid.
Many families remain displaced without steady income sources, according to the District Head. Some have lived without farmland access for more than fifty years.
Despite these challenges, the community continues to support government policies and development projects. Chega expressed confidence that President Tinubu's administration will act quickly.
"The demand for compensation is legitimate," he stressed to reporters. He said restoring confidence among residents depends on swift action from Abuja.
