By Sunday Elijah,
A fresh controversy has emerged over the future of ancestral lands in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, with the Tangale Community Overseas (TCO) demanding full disclosure from the state government over allegations that parts of the Tangale highlands may be designated for pastoral settlement.
In a detailed public statement released on Tuesday, the diaspora organisation said widespread anxiety among Tangale communities had been triggered by claims contained in a June 24 statement issued by the Centre for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity in Nigeria (CJREN).
CJREN alleged that the Gombe State Government was considering measures that could affect indigenous communities’ access to portions of the Tangale highlands while creating space for pastoral settlement.
Although the state government has not publicly confirmed the allegation, TCO argued that the seriousness of the claims required an official response and greater transparency from government authorities.
“The Tangale homeland is not vacant land. It is the living inheritance of a people whose history predates modern administrative structures,” the organisation said.
The statement was issued after consultations with the Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), the Kwagam Tangle Socio-Cultural Association (KTSCA), and the Tangale Elders Forum (TEF).
Demand for Transparency
The organisation urged the Gombe State Government to publicly state whether any proposals affecting Tangale ancestral lands exist, identify those consulted during any discussions, and release all relevant policy documents.
According to TCO, decisions concerning ancestral lands should not be made without the free, prior and informed consent of affected indigenous communities.
It also called for independent verification of current land use in the affected areas and requested assurances that no acquisition or reclassification of community lands would occur without transparent consultation.
The organisation maintained that openness was necessary to preserve public confidence and prevent unnecessary tension.
Traditional Council’s Response
A significant portion of the statement criticised an earlier rejoinder issued by the Tangale Traditional Council, arguing that the response did not address several key questions raised by members of the community.
Among the issues highlighted was whether any district heads, ward heads or traditional office holders had participated in meetings with government officials concerning the alleged land proposals.
According to TCO, the Council’s statement also failed to address reports from residents regarding increasing pastoral activities in some parts of the Tangale homeland.
The organisation further disputed the Council’s assertion that farming does not occur on the Tangale highlands, insisting that many families continue to cultivate land across the area and rely on it for their livelihoods.
It called on relevant government agencies to conduct an independent assessment of farming activities and reported land-use changes.
Cultural Heritage at Stake
Beyond questions of ownership, TCO described the disputed areas as holding immense historical, religious and cultural significance.
According to the organisation, the Tangale highlands contain ancestral settlements, sacred traditional worship sites, the historic location of the former Mai Tangle Palace, and important early Christian mission sites, including the first church and first school established in Tangale land.
The organisation argued that any policy affecting these locations without extensive consultation would amount to the erosion of Tangale cultural heritage.
It also warned that restricting access to agricultural land could undermine food production and worsen economic conditions for rural households.
Leadership Dispute Adds Complexity
The latest controversy also reflects continuing divisions over traditional leadership within the Tangale community.
TCO noted that disputes surrounding the selection of the current Mai Tangle remain before the courts and argued that institutions whose legitimacy is under judicial review should not be treated as speaking conclusively for the entire Tangale people on matters of ancestral land and cultural heritage.
The organisation referred to the selection process for the traditional stool, stating that the outcome remains the subject of ongoing litigation.
It also cited decisions taken earlier this year by the Tangale Community Development Association and other socio-cultural organisations, including the suspension of certain palace-related traditional activities and the inauguration of a reconstituted Tangale PONAR, described as an indigenous cultural custodianship institution representing the seven Tangale clans.
According to TCO, these developments demonstrate that questions of representation within the community remain unresolved.
Land Rights and Indigenous Protection
TCO argued that both Nigerian law and international standards require transparency in matters involving ancestral lands.
The organisation referenced the Constitution, the Land Use Act and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), maintaining that indigenous communities should be consulted before decisions affecting their ancestral territories are taken.
It said consultation should be meaningful, transparent and conducted before any policy is implemented.
Appeal for Calm
Despite its strong criticism of the alleged proposals, TCO urged Tangale communities to remain peaceful and pursue their concerns through lawful means.
The organisation appealed to government institutions, civil society organisations, recognised traditional authorities and development partners to support dialogue and transparency in resolving the issues raised.
It maintained that greater public disclosure would help prevent misinformation and reduce the risk of unnecessary conflict.
As of press time, neither the Gombe State Government nor the Tangale Traditional Council had issued a further response to the concerns raised in TCO’s latest statement.
The controversy is expected to generate increased public debate in the coming weeks, particularly as litigation over the Mai Tangle stool continues and community groups seek official clarification regarding the future status of Tangale ancestral lands.
