News Editor
The attention of Agwatashi (Olosoho) community in Obi local government area of Nasarawa State, has been drawn to the above captioned one sided story and we deem it feet to reply the Tiv community for dishing out half baked story.
It’s essential to note that the Alago people as the rightful owners of Agwatashi land which extends beyond Agon village, had graciously allowed the Tiv people to settle and conduct their farming business in the area. However, instead of showing gratitude, the Tiv community has chosen to repay this kindness with hostility and aggression.
Unfortunately, the history of hospitality and our generosity has been met with ingratitude and hostility. The people of Agwatashi, who graciously welcomed the Tiv and shared their lands, are now facing aggression and conflict. It is a stark contrast to the values of kindness and warmth that defined their relationship.
The actions of the Tiv people seem to be a betrayal of the trust and goodwill extended to them because Tiv leaders we reliably gathered banned their people from trading in Agwatashi market, citing the state government’s 10,000-hectare land acquisition for farming as their reason.
But tensions rose further when Tiv youths started mounting weekly roadblocks every Thursday (Agwatashi’s market day) along the Lafia-Agwatashi -Awe Federal Highway, reportedly stopping traders and even seizing goods heading to Agwatashi market.
Despite these provocations, our traditional ruler, HRH Alh. Dr. Umar Ojiri Abubakar Apeshi, the Osoho of Olosoho, urged our people, expecially youths to remain peaceful. He discouraged retaliation, saying “Agon is under Agwatashi community, we gave them the land to settle”.
However, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, while Agwatashi elder were in court over a land case filed by thesame Tiv people, some Tiv youths in their numbers stormed Agwatashi Market and disrupted businesses and harassed traders.
The Tiv community’s actions, including prohibiting their own people from patronizing Agwatashi market and mounting weekly roadblocks on the Agwatashi-Agon assis federal highway, were a clear provocation.
The Tiv community’s actions are a classic case of “cry louder than the one who is actually hurt.” They initiated the crisis with roadblocks and our market invasions, and now they’re trying to buy sympathy by painting all manner of headlines. The facts, however, tell a different story. The Agwatashi community has been subjected to economic sabotage and provocation, and their response was a desperate attempt to protect their interests.
Is it merely a coincidence that the rival market in Agon was opened just 2 kilometers from Agwatashi market? Or was it a calculated move to undermine the economic activities of the Agwatashi people? The answers to these questions are clear, and it’s evident that the Tiv community’s actions were driven by a desire to supplant Agwatashi market.
We call on the Nasarawa State government to take a closer look at the situation and address the underlying issues. The government’s land acquisition for farming should not be used as a pretext for one community to harass and disrupt another. The government must ensure that all communities are treated fairly and that their rights are protected.
The Agwatashi community’s peaceful protest was a response to the Tiv community’s actions, and it’s clear that the Agwatashi community was forced to take drastic measures to protect their interests. The blockade of the road leading to Agon market was a desperate attempt to assert their rights and protect their economic livelihoods as rightful owners of Agwatashi land.
In conclusion, the blockade of the Agwatashi-Agon-Awe road by Alago youths was a response to the Tiv community’s actions, and it’s essential to examine the facts of the situation. The Tiv community’s attempt to deflect attention and shift the narrative is a clear case of deflection tactics, and it’s crucial to hold them accountable for their actions.
Agwatashi Concerned Youths for and on behalf of the community
Samuel A. Iyima
Chairman
Yakubu Ahmed Anohoni
Secretary
