By Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who also acts as the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Muhammad Iyimoga Oyigye, has refuted allegations that the state government illegally harvested rice belonging to Tiv farmers in the region.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Iyimoga stated that the accusations are baseless and aimed at diverting attention from incidents of theft allegedly perpetrated by some individuals within the community.
“The government is not insane to harvest rice belonging to peasant farmers,” he said. “Those spreading this falsehood are well aware of the real reasons they are avoiding the farms. Some individuals invaded and stole rice from government farms. We arrested a few culprits but later released them.”
Government vs. Tiv Farmers
Iyimoga clarified that the rice being harvested belonged solely to the government, asserting that claims of encroachment are false.
“As recently as yesterday, Tiv farmers were on their farms harvesting rice. Anyone doubting this can visit the farms to see that their crops are untouched,” he added.
The commissioner challenged accusers to provide concrete evidence of government interference with their farmlands. He emphasized that security personnel deployed during the harvest were stationed only to ensure order and prevent potential violence.
“We stationed soldiers strategically to maintain peace, not to intimidate anyone. The security presence was for the government’s operations, not to interfere with anyone else’s crops,” Iyimoga explained.
Tiv Community’s Counterclaims
The Tiv farmers, however, have accused the government of using its authority to displace them from their farmlands. They allege that the government, under the pretext of harvesting “government rice,” encroached on private lands, leading to intimidation and loss of crops.
Community leaders pointed to a court order issued earlier this year that restrained the government from farming or harvesting on disputed lands. They claim the government has flouted this directive.
“The government has ignored the court order and taken what belongs to us,” a farmer alleged, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal. “We have witnesses and evidence to prove that our farms were harvested.”
Government’s Position
Iyimoga dismissed these accusations as illogical, particularly reports that over 500 bags of rice were harvested within four days.
“For God’s sake, how could anyone harvest over 500 bags in four days? These claims are baseless and designed to distract from the real issue of theft on government farms,” he stated.
He reassured the public that the government remains committed to protecting the rights of all farmers while ensuring transparency in its agricultural initiatives.
