Farmers in Anyarkeke, Ikyochiha, Shankodi, and China communities of Ribi District, Jangwa Development Area, Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, have accused government officials and traditional leaders of intruding and harvesting their rice farms.

The communities alleged that their rice is being forcefully harvested by individuals under the directive of the Chief of Jangwa, Shehu Adamu, whom they claimed was acting under orders of the state government.

Some farmers alleged that security personnel, including heavily armed soldiers, accompanied the intruders to their farms to carry out the harvest.

One affected farmer, Mr. Joseph Faga, said “The planting season was peaceful, but everything changed during harvest.

“I found the commissioner overseeing the Ministry of Agriculture, the local government chairman and the chief of Jangwa harvesting my rice. When I confronted them, they said it was an order from the state government.

“They have been threshing my rice for three days now under tight security. I feel helpless watching my hard work being taken away like this.”

Another farmer, Mr. Vitalis Chiangi, expressed similar anguish, describing the situation as devastating. “This rice is our only source of income and survival. We plead with the authorities to intervene before things escalate further,” he said.

Community leader Iorlaha Aloysius accused the government of acting contrary to a court order and ignoring the farmers’ rights.

“The land is not under dispute, and a high court in Abuja had restrained the state government or any party from interfering with the Tiv farmers. If the government wants the land, they should call for dialogue instead of harvesting our crops without notice. This is unjust and inhuman,” Aloysius said.

The farmers estimated that over 400 bags of rice had already been harvested from their farms, which left them frustrated.

When contacted, the chairman of Awe Local Government Area, Dankano, denied involvement in the matter.

Also responding, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who also serves as the acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Oyegye Imoga, has dismissed allegations that the state government harvested rice belonging to Tiv farmers in the area.

Imoga clarified that the government has no intention of displacing or taking crops belonging to farmers and accused the Tiv community of spreading falsehoods.

Governor Abdullahi Sule recently addressed similar concerns during a visit to the Jangwa Development Area, where the state government oversaw the harvest of 2,000 hectares of rice.

“The state government has no intention of forcefully taking land from anyone. If there is a need for land acquisition, the right processes, including compensation, will be followed,” he said.

The governor dismissed the allegations, alleging the government’s involvement in the forced harvesting of farmers’ crops.

The affected farmers urged the government to investigate the incident and return their harvested rice.