From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who also serves as the acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Muhammad Iyimoga Oyigye, has dismissed allegations that the state government harvested rice belonging to Tiv farmers in the area.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Iyimoga clarified that the government has no intention of displacing or taking crops belonging to farmers and accused the Tiv community of spreading falsehoods.
Speaking on the matter, the commissioner said: “The government is not insane to harvest rice belonging to peasant farmers. Those claiming this know the real reasons they are avoiding the farms. Some of them invaded and stole rice from government farms, and we even arrested a few but later released them.”
Iyimoga revealed that the state government had discovered theft of rice and chemicals from its farm by some individuals in the community. He alleged that those making the accusations are attempting to divert attention from their actions.
“The rice we are harvesting belongs to the government. They stole from us, and now they are turning the narrative to make it seem like we are the ones wronging them,” he said. “As recently as yesterday, Tiv farmers were harvesting their own rice. Anyone doubting this can visit the farms and see for themselves that their crops are intact.”
He challenged the accusers to provide evidence of their claims. “I challenge anyone who says we harvested their rice to point out the areas they claim were affected. I will, in turn, show you the instances where the same individuals stole government property, including chemicals and bagged rice,” Iyimoga said.
The commissioner also addressed the presence of security personnel during the harvest, clarifying that it was a precautionary measure. “We deployed three soldiers to strategic areas around the farm. This was not to intimidate anyone but to ensure order and prevent violence, as the community is known for such tendencies. The security was strictly for harvesting government rice, not anyone else’s crops,” he explained.
However, has a different narrative. They alleged that the government, under the guise of harvesting “government rice,” had encroached on farmlands belonging to their members, leading to the displacement of farmers from their fields. Community leaders claimed that the government deployed security forces to intimidate farmers, preventing them from accessing their farmlands.
The Tiv farmers also pointed to a court order obtained earlier this year, which restrained the state government from carrying out any farming or harvesting activities on disputed lands. They accused the government of flouting the court’s directive and acting in bad faith.
“The government has ignored the court order and is openly taking what belongs to us. We have records and witnesses to show that our farms were harvested,” said one farmer who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.
Hon. Iyimoga refuted these claims, describing them as “ridiculous and illogical.” He denied reports that over 500 bags of rice were harvested within four days, stating: “For God’s sake, how could anyone harvest over 500 bags in just four days? This is nothing but a lie. These false claims will not deter the government from ensuring the right thing is done.”
The commissioner assured the public that the government remains committed to protecting the rights of all farmers while ensuring accountability and transparency in its agricultural initiatives.
