The Tor Tiv V, Prof. James Ayatse has described the killings in Benue State as a ‘calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits’ which had been on for decades.
During the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and stakeholders in the state on Wednesday, the traditional ruler dismissed claims that the killings are the results of clashes between herders and farmers, describing such claims as misinformation.
He said that such information had led to suggestions to the people of the state to remain tolerant and learn to be accommodating.
The Tiv paramount ruler said: ‘We do have grave concerns about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue State. Your Excellency, it’s not headers-farmers clashes, it’s not communal clashes, it’s not reprisal attacks or skirmishes.
‘It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as ‘remain tolerant, negotiate for peace, learn to live with your neighbours.
‘What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by header terrorists and bandits, which has been going on for decades and is worsening every year.
‘Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. So, we are dealing with something far more sinister than we think about. It’s not learning to live with your neighbors; it is dealing with the war’.
