Benue Cassava Farmers Allege Extortion and Long Delays at Pure Biotech Company Facility

Cassava farmers in Benue State have raised serious concerns over alleged extortion and prolonged delays at the facility of Pure Biotech Company along Gboko Road. The farmers claim they are being forced to wait for days, sometimes weeks, before gaining access to offload their produce, with some alleging demands for unofficial payments to fast-track entry.

The situation has triggered outrage among producers and renewed calls for urgent government intervention and regulatory scrutiny. Benue State is one of Nigeria’s leading cassava-producing regions, with farmers relying heavily on large processing companies to purchase and process their harvests. The facility operated by Pure Biotech Company along the Gboko Road corridor has become a key point of trade between rural farmers and industrial processors. However, tensions have reportedly grown over access logistics, scheduling, and alleged informal payments.

Farmers allege that after transporting their cassava harvests to the facility, they are made to wait outside the gates for extended periods, sometimes stretching into several days or weeks. According to the claims, only a limited number of trucks are processed daily, creating long queues and significant post-harvest losses for perishable goods. Some farmers further allege that they are asked to pay between ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 before being granted entry to offload their produce. The allegations also name individuals identified as Halilu, described as a procurement head, and M. Okino, both alleged to be linked to access control decisions at the facility.

These claims, however, remain unverified and have not been independently confirmed by the company. Human rights advocate Ukan Kurugh has condemned the situation, describing it as unacceptable treatment of local farmers and calling for immediate investigation. He urged the relevant authorities in the Benue State Government to intervene, ensure accountability, and protect farmers from further exploitation.

As of the time of reporting, the management of Pure Biotech Company has not issued a public response to the allegations. The situation continues to generate concern among agricultural stakeholders in Benue, with calls growing for a transparent probe into the allegations and improved access management at industrial processing facilities. Authorities are yet to announce any formal investigation, but pressure is mounting for swift action to address the claims and restore confidence among local producers. For now, farmers say they are waiting not just for access to the facility but for answers.