Vanguard | 2 May 2025Tension as Tiv farmers protest alleged land grabbing
By Abel Daniel
Lafia—Tension is brewing in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State as Tiv farmers have issued a stern warning to Governor Abdullahi Sule over alleged forceful seizure of their ancestral farmlands by the state government.
The farmers, drawn from Ayakeke, Osula, China, Shankodi, Udugh, Ikychiha, Utsuwa, and Daura communities, yesterday staged a massive protest, accusing the government of land grabbing and marginalization.
They claimed they were neither consulted nor informed about the government’s intention to take over their lands for a proposed agricultural project, which they described as a ploy to dispossess them of their heritage.
Speaking during the protest, spokesperson of the group, Mr. Benjamin Tyoga, said the land in question had been cultivated by their forefathers for centuries, stressing that any attempt to seize it without proper dialogue was an act of oppression.
“We no longer trust the governor’s assurances. These lands belong to our ancestors. If the government truly meant well, we should have been consulted before he came to inspect the area. Instead, we only heard about it after officials began visiting our lands,” Tyoga lamented.
He accused the governor of attempting to bypass the people by insisting they send delegates to speak with him, rather than engaging with the protesting farmers directly.
“We are the people affected. Why must we send leaders? If he truly wanted to hear us, he would address us directly. This is pure land seizure, and we will not accept it,” Tyoga added.
He warned that no amount of infrastructure would make up for the loss of their lands, which remain their only source of livelihood.
“If roads are built and we have no land to farm, what have we gained? We are farmers, and our survival depends on these lands. We are citizens of Nasarawa State and deserve to be heard,” he said.
Another protester, Mrs. Terhemba Iveren, described the land as more than just a resource, calling it the people’s identity and history.
“This land is our home, our story. You can’t just take it without dialogue. We are not saying we don’t want development, but it should not come at the cost of our existence,” she said.
The protest, which took place under tight security, saw youths and elders displaying placards and chanting solidarity songs. The atmosphere was charged, but the presence of security operatives ensured calm.
In his response, Governor Abdullahi Sule urged the protesters to remain peaceful and assured them that the initiative was in the interest of the entire state.
“Let your leaders come and speak with me. Don’t send troublemakers. If you send troublemakers, it will be difficult for us to have peace,” he warned.The governor explained that the farm project was not for personal gain but for the benefit of the people of Nasarawa State, including the Tiv communities.
“I am the first governor to visit your communities. This project is not mine; it is for you and your children. We are planning to provide roads and other infrastructure to uplift your lives,” he said.
Sule, however, maintained that all land legally belongs to the state government and promised that compensation would be considered for those with economic trees.
Despite his assurances, community elders remained skeptical. Iorliam Aondofa called for an open town hall meeting, saying that government officials must engage with the people genuinely.”The governor must return and meet us in a town hall, not just visit the land and leave. Everyone must be allowed to speak. That is how democracy works,” he said.
Several farmers also claimed they were taken by surprise, alleging that they were not officially notified before government officials began surveying their land.
“They just came and said the land belongs to a government project. That’s not how things should be done,” said Terver Gbakough, a youth leader.
“We want respect and fairness. Any move to take our land must be with our consent.”
On his part, a land rights advocate, Comrade Isaac Gbande, warned that the government’s handling of the matter could spark long-term conflict.
“This is more than a development policy-it’s a human rights issue. The government must obtain free, prior, and informed consent before displacing communities. Anything less will lead to resistance,” he warned.
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The Sun | 1 May 2025
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Tiv farmers from eight communities in Obi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, staged a protest on Thursday, May 1, against the alleged forceful seizure of their ancestral farmlands by the state government.
The protesters, from Ayakeke, Osula, China, Shankodi, Udugh, Ikychiha, Utsuwa, and Daura, demanded justice and urged Governor Abdullahi Sule to halt all activities on their lands, claiming they were not consulted.
Benjamin Tyoga, speaking for the protesters during the governor’s visit to inspect farmlands for the 2025 farming season, said, “We don’t believe the governor’s words because the land belongs to our fathers, hundreds of years ago. If it is to be taken, we should have been consulted—not just for him to come and inspect and talk to us because we are protesting.”
He rejected Sule’s call to send leaders, stating, “He said we should send leaders, but we are the people—all of us here. Why can’t he talk to us directly? This is purely seizure of our lands by force.”
Tyoga emphasised farming as their livelihood, noting, “If you create roads and we don’t have what to eat to survive, what have you done?” Another protester, Terhemba Iveren, added, “This is not just land, this is our identity, our history, our home. You cannot just come and take it without talking to us directly.” Elder Iorliam Aondofa demanded a town hall meeting, saying, “The governor must return with his team to genuinely meet with us—not just visit our land and leave.”
Governor Sule responded, urging calm and stating, “Send your leaders to represent you to speak to me. Don’t send troublemakers because if you send troublemakers, you all will be in trouble.” He defended the project, saying, “The farm is not my personal property but for the people of Nasarawa State, including you,” and claimed legal authority: “All lands belong to the state government. We can only allow and give time for those who have economic trees, and if need be, we will compensate.”
Farmers, including Terver Gbakough, reported no prior notification, stating, “They just came one day and said the land is for a government farm project.” Human rights activist Isaac Gbande warned, “The government must follow the principles of free, prior, and informed consent before displacing any community, even for development purposes.”
Security operatives maintained order amid heightened tensions. The farmers vowed to continue their protest, with Tyoga concluding, “We are not against development. We are against the injustice of being ignored, displaced, and spoken to like we don’t matter.”
