The Tiv people of Nasarawa state, under the umbrella of Mdzough U Tiv have issued a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing dispute over their ancestral farm lands.
Addressing newsmen over the weekend in Abuja, President of Mdzough U Tiv Nasarawa state, Mr. Philip Nongu, on behalf of the Tiv people cried out and alleged that their ancestral farmlands are being forcibly taken over by the state government and its proxies.
“We cry out loudly and appeal for the urgent attention of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the National Assembly, Civil Society Organisations, the media and the international community, to the forceful takeover of Tiv ancestral farmlands in Nasarawa State,” he said.
He alleged that the land, which has been handed down to them by their forefathers, as their source of livelihood for centuries, is being taken over without their consent.
He put the total population of Tiv people spread across three local government areas of Awe, Obi and Keana to over 250, 000.
“The land, earmarked for grabbing, is estimated to be over 10,000 hectares in parts of Awe and Obi as well as thousands of hectares in Keana.
He accused the state government and others of using blackmail and mischief to subdue and take undue advantage of the helpless landowners.
“Key conspirators holding brief for the Nasarawa state government and claiming ownership of the Tiv ancestral farmlands in parts of Awe and Obi are the Osoho of Agwatashi, Dr. Umar Abubakar Apeshi, and the Sarkin Jangwa, Alhaji Adamu Shehu,” he alleged.
“We appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to urgently direct the Governor of Nasarawa State to stop the grabbing of Tiv ancestral farmlands for whatsoever farming projects.”
He also said the Tiv people are calling on the governor to provide security for the Tiv farmers, “Cause an immediate investigation into these allegations and do everything within the law to restore the dignity of a Tiv man and woman in the whole of Nasarawa State.”
He called on President Tinubu to ensure that Tiv people are protected and encouraged to engage in massive agricultural activities.
“As agriculture has become a money spinner for Nigerians under the laudable policies and programs of Mr. President’s administration, the Tiv farmers in Nasarawa State should be jealously protected and encouraged for massive agricultural activities to contribute our quota in feeding the nation.
“Allow the Tiv people to enjoy the access roads being constructed to their villages in peace. We have absolute confidence in Mr. President’s capacity to understand the damage the land grabbing by the Nasarawa State government and its proxies portends to commendable policies and programs of his administration,” he said.
The group also called the Emir of Lafia, His Royal Highness, Justice Sidi Bagel (Rtd), Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ayatse and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to join forces to rescue the land of Tiv farmers.
Responding, on behalf of government via telephone interview, Obi LGA chairman, Hon. Isa Sani Muhammad, said the land dispute in the area had existed before his emergence few months ago.
He however, noted that in the past, the state government took possession of various land for farm and other projects beyond Obi LGA for accelerated development, in the interest of the people.