Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has issued an executive order banning all forms of farming in cemeteries across the state, declaring that burial grounds are sacred spaces that must not be desecrated by agricultural activities. The directive, announced on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, takes immediate effect and applies to all 14 local government areas of the state, according to multiple reports.
The governor made the announcement during an inspection visit to a cemetery in Gusau, the state capital, where he observed that the cultivation of crops on burial grounds had become a growing concern. He declared that the practice would no longer be tolerated and ordered that any crops already planted in cemeteries be destroyed without delay.
"Cemeteries are sacred places meant to preserve the dignity and memory of the deceased, and using them for farming disrespects both cultural and religious values," Lawal said. He warned that any person found farming inside a cemetery will have their crops destroyed immediately.
The ban comes amid growing concerns over the encroachment of agricultural activities into burial grounds across Zamfara State, where land scarcity and food insecurity have driven some residents to cultivate crops on any available land, including cemeteries. The practice has sparked outrage among community leaders and religious figures, who have long called for government intervention to protect the sanctity of burial sites.
Governor Lawal's directive tasks traditional rulers, community leaders, and relevant government agencies with enforcing the new policy and educating residents about its importance. The governor's office also confirmed that monitoring teams will be deployed across the state to ensure full compliance with the ban.
The governor emphasised that the use of burial grounds for farming violates both cultural and religious principles. In predominantly Muslim Zamfara State, cemeteries are considered sacred spaces that must be treated with utmost respect. The desecration of graves and burial grounds is viewed as a grave offense against the deceased and their families.
Lawal called on traditional and religious leaders to support the enforcement of the directive and to sensitise residents on the importance of preserving the sanctity of cemeteries. He said the order reflects his administration's commitment to upholding cultural and religious values while maintaining public order across the state.
The directive takes effect from the moment it was issued and must be complied with across all 14 local government areas of the state. The governor warned that any person found farming inside a cemetery will have their crops destroyed immediately, with no exceptions. The state government has also directed that existing crops already planted in cemeteries be cleared without delay.
The ban is expected to face resistance from some residents who have relied on cemetery lands for farming, particularly in areas where arable land is scarce. However, the government has insisted that the sanctity of burial grounds must be upheld, and that alternative agricultural lands will be identified for those affected.
Zamfara State has been grappling with a host of challenges, including insecurity, poverty, and food shortages. The state government has previously invested in agricultural development, with Governor Lawal launching initiatives to boost farming and food production. However, the ban on farming in cemeteries underscores the government's determination to balance agricultural needs with cultural and religious sensitivities.
The directive has drawn mixed reactions from residents. While some have welcomed the move as a necessary step to protect the dignity of the deceased, others have expressed concern over the lack of alternative farming lands for those who depend on cemetery plots for their livelihoods. The government has assured that it will work with community leaders to address these concerns and ensure a smooth implementation of the ban.
As monitoring teams prepare to enforce the new policy across the state, the message from the Zamfara State Government is clear: cemeteries are sacred, and they must be treated as such.
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