Tiv farmers in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have staged a protest against the alleged forceful takeover of their ancestral farmlands by the state government for a proposed agricultural project.
The protesting farmers, drawn from Ayakeke, Osula, China, Shankodi, Udugh, Ikychiha, Utsuwa, and Daura communities, accused the state government of sidelining them in discussions about the land and warned of escalating tension if their concerns were not addressed.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Benjamin Tyoga said the farmlands have been cultivated by their forefathers for generations and expressed anger that the government did not consult with them before initiating the project.
“These lands belong to our ancestors. We only heard of the project after officials began visiting our lands. We were not informed or engaged in any dialogue,” Tyoga said.
He criticized Governor Abdullahi Sule for allegedly demanding that the communities send representatives rather than addressing the protesting farmers directly.
“We are the ones affected. If the governor wants to hear us, he should come and meet us. We will not accept this silent dispossession,” he added.
Tyoga noted that no amount of infrastructure development would justify the loss of their farmlands, which remain their primary source of livelihood.
“Our survival depends on this land. Building roads means nothing if we can’t farm,” he said.
Mrs. Terhemba Iveren, another protester, described the land as a symbol of the community’s identity and warned that taking it without proper engagement would be equivalent to erasing their heritage.
“This is not just land; it is our home, our history. Development should not come at the cost of our existence,” she said.
The protest, which drew elders and youths, was conducted under heavy security as demonstrators displayed placards and sang solidarity songs. The protest remained peaceful.
Governor Sule Responds
In his response, Governor Abdullahi Sule called for calm, insisting the proposed farm project was for the benefit of all residents of Nasarawa, including the Tiv communities.
“Let your leaders come and speak with me. Don’t send troublemakers,” the governor said.
He explained that the government was planning to provide roads and infrastructure that would uplift the affected communities and promised that compensation would be provided to farmers with economic trees if the project proceeds.
“All land legally belongs to the state. This project is not mine—it’s for your children,” he said.
Despite the assurances, community leaders remained cautious. Elder Iorliam Aondofa called for an open town hall meeting to allow every concerned farmer to speak.
“The governor must meet with us directly. That is how democracy works,” he said.
Terver Gbakough, a youth leader, also criticized the lack of formal notice before government officials began surveying the land.
“We were taken by surprise. We want respect and fairness,” he said.
Comrade Isaac Gbande, a land rights advocate, warned that failing to obtain free, prior, and informed consent could lead to long-term resistance.
“This is a human rights issue. Displacing communities without proper engagement is unacceptable,” he said.
