Tension is rising in Nasarawa State as Tiv farmers have officially notified the state government of a planned mass protest on March 10, 2025, to demand justice over alleged killings, land grabbing, and forced evictions in Keana Local Government Area (LGA).
In a letter addressed to His Excellency, Engr. A.A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, through the Hon. Attorney General of Justice, the protesters are calling for the dethronement and disbandment of the Osana of Keana, Alhaji Abdullahi Amegwa Agbo, and Osokadoko, Alhaji Umaru Usman Dodo. The petitioners accuse the two traditional rulers of allegedly sponsoring the proscribed LAKURAWA bandits responsible for attacks on Tiv farmers.
The protest, spearheaded by Chief Dennis Denen Gbongbon UTSA (President) and Iorlumunb Igba Mbagbe (Secretary), highlights the community’s grievances, including:
1. Ending the killings of Tiv farmers in Keana LGA and stopping the alleged land grabbing.
2. Recovery of 394 missing corpses of Tiv farmers allegedly killed by Alago militias since June 2024.
3. Immediate dethronement of the Osana of Keana and Osokadoko, along with the disbandment of traditional rulers in Keana LGA.
4. Arrest and prosecution of the LAKURAWA bandits allegedly camped in the area.
5. Revocation of land sales made by the Osana of Keana and Osokadoko to the alleged bandits.
6. Recovery of looted properties worth over 1.39 billion from Keana Market.
7. Rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced Tiv farmers.
8. Provision of relief materials, healthcare services, and agricultural support for affected farmers.
9. Government support for burial logistics of the 394 murdered farmers, totaling 441.49 million.
The letter reaffirms the peaceful nature of the planned protest, which is set to take place at Kadarko Federal Highway until the government addresses their demands. The Tiv farmers accuse the Nasarawa State Government of deliberately neglecting their plight and failing to act against what they describe as state-sponsored violence and marginalization.
As of the time of this report, the Nasarawa State Government has not issued any official response regarding the protest notification. However, tensions remain high, with observers warning of potential unrest if the government fails to engage with the aggrieved community.
Security agencies are expected to be on high alert as March 10 approaches, with concerns that the demonstration could escalate if not properly managed.
