The Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, has expressed deep concern over the continuing violence in Benue State, stating that what is happening is not a simple herder-farmer conflict, but a much more dangerous situation.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, the traditional ruler said the violence should be seen for what it truly is — “a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits.”
The monarch was clear in his message to the president. He strongly rejected the popular belief that the crisis is about farmer-herder clashes. According to him, this belief has caused wrong decisions and delayed action in ending the violence.
Benue State has been hit by several brutal attacks in recent times. On June 14, more than 100 people were killed in Yelewata and Daudu, two communities in Guma Local Government Area.
By Sunday, reports said the number of deaths had risen to 200. These killings have caused anger across the country, with many demanding that the federal government act quickly.
“We do have grave concerns about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue State,” the Tor Tiv told President Tinubu.
“Your Excellency, it is not herder-farmer clashes. It is not communal clashes, it is not reprisal attacks or skirmishes,” he stated emphatically.
He noted that mislabeling the crisis has led to ineffective responses and advice like, “remain tolerant, negotiate for peace, learn to live with your neighbours.” He insisted this advice does not apply in the face of what he described as a “war.”
He added, “Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. So, we are dealing with something far more sinister than we think about. It is not about learning to live with your neighbours; it is about defending against war.”
President Tinubu, responding to the concerns, shared that he is deeply worried about the rising insecurity in the region. He gave a directive to security agencies to do more in tracking down the people responsible for the killings and bringing them to justice.
