Seventeen members of the Tiv ethnic group in Nasarawa State have instituted legal action against the state government, accusing it of unlawfully seizing their ancestral farmlands located in Awe and Obi Local Government Areas.
The plaintiffs, all residents of the affected communities, filed the suit at the State High Court in Lafia, alleging that the government forcefully took over their land without due consultation, fair compensation, or adherence to legal procedures.
According to the court filings, the lands in question have been cultivated by the plaintiffs’ families for generations and serve as their primary source of livelihood.
They allege that the state government, through its agents and security operatives, moved into the areas with bulldozers and other heavy equipment to clear the farmlands without any prior notice or agreement.
One of the plaintiffs, Aondofa Ugbokaha, said the action taken by the government amounted to a deliberate act of displacement. “We were neither consulted nor compensated. This land was inherited from our forefathers, and suddenly, we are being pushed out like strangers,” he told ConfirmNews.
The legal representatives of the Tiv farmers argue that the move by the state government is not only unconstitutional but also discriminatory.
They are seeking immediate restitution of the farmlands, monetary compensation for damages incurred, and a court injunction preventing the government or any of its agents from further encroachment on the disputed land.
A spokesperson from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Lands and Urban Development, when contacted, insisted that the government acted within its legal rights in reclaiming land for developmental projects. However, the official declined to provide evidence of proper gazetting or relocation arrangements for the affected farmers.
The lawsuit has begun to draw attention from civil society groups, many of whom warn that the issue could escalate into an ethnic crisis if not handled sensitively. A Tiv youth leader from Obi LGA, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, “This is not just about land. It’s about identity, survival, and respect. If the government continues to treat us like second-class citizens, the situation may escalate beyond the courtroom.”
The case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in the coming weeks. Legal analysts believe the outcome could set a significant precedent for indigenous land rights and ethnic relations in Nasarawa State and the Middle Belt region at large.