A coalition of Tiv leaders has accused the Nasarawa State Government, led by Governor Abdullahi Sule, of allegedly orchestrating the forced displacement of Tiv communities under the guise of agricultural development.

At a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Jerry Aondo, alleged that the government was using state security apparatus—including the military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and key ministries—to forcibly evict Tiv residents and demolish their settlements across Awe, Obi, Keana, and Doma Local Government Areas.

“What the government is calling agricultural expansion is, in fact, an ethnic cleansing agenda targeting the Tiv people,” Aondo stated.

He listed several affected communities, including Udugh, Utsuwa, Usula, China, Chabo, Wachi, Tyungu, Uvirkaa, Ugba, and Ayarkeke, noting that many of them had already been destroyed or earmarked for demolition.

“In Udugh village, bulldozers, accompanied by armed soldiers and civil defence officers, arrived shortly after the governor’s visit on May 4,” Aondo claimed. “They flattened homes, schools, churches, and even graveyards. Residents fled in fear, leaving behind their ancestral lands.”

The senior lawyer further alleged that in Osula village, Tiv women were chased off their farmlands, leaving families without access to food or livelihood.

“This is not development—it is targeted ethnic persecution disguised as progress,” he said.

Aondo revealed that several petitions have been submitted to the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner of Police, and the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. However, he noted that none have received a response to date.

As of the time of filing this report, Nasarawa State officials have not issued any official statement addressing the allegations.