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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Tension is building in Nasarawa State over alleged unlawful and forceful acquisition of over 10,000 hectares of land belonging to the Tiv community by the state government.
Already the Tiv community in the state, in a protest letter addressed to Governor Abdullahi Sule, equally called on the Attorney General of the Federation and the Senate to intervene as the actions of the state government were in violation of their fundamental rights and a threat to their security and socioeconomic well-being as farmers.
The petitioners stated that the decision by the Nasarawa State government to take over their ancestral land is clothed in the guise of an acclaimed agricultural programme that “President Bola Tinubu has interest in it”. They listed the affected communities as Akaha, Utsuwa, Usula, Udugh, China, Shankodi, Ikyorchiha, and Ayarkeke in the Obi/Awe Local Government Area—which rely heavily on their ancestral lands for farming and survival.
The petitioners, through their counsel, Jerry Aondo, described the state’s decision to deprive them of their land without offering alternatives as both unjust and illegal and against natural justice.
They stated that both the process and the action of the state government were in clear violation of their rights as Nigerian citizens. The communities alleged that the government, with the aid of traditional rulers and village heads, is coercively acquiring their land under the claim that, “President Tinubu wants the use of the land.”
Besides, the petition said the communities’ ongoing hardships would be worsened by previous forced land acquisition in Awe/Doma Local Government Area. The prior seizures, the petitioners argued, lacked a clear plan for balanced economic development and did not benefit the Tiv indigenes of the state.
They noted that already the atmosphere in the area is tense, with the frequent unannounced deployments of security personnel, leading to alleged assaults, arrests, and harassment of the people, all under the guise of government actions, thereby instilling fear among the residents.
Aondo alleged that just last Friday, a group of armed security operatives attacked the community, leading to injuries and loss of properties. The petitioners called on Governor Sule to intervene urgently, expressing confidence in his administration’s ability to deliver justice.
They, however, acknowledged the governor’s past efforts to restore peace and security to the Tiv people, who have suffered from communal crises, resulting in loss of lives, property, and severe economic hardship due to displacement.
The communities are also appealing to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, the Office of the Senate President, and the Office of the Speaker for interventions.
