Tor Tiv and President, Benue Council of Chiefs, His Eminence Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) that what is happening in Benue State is genocide and a land-grabbing attempt.
Prof. Ayatse stated this during a town hall meeting during the visit of PBAT to the troubled north central state. The president is in the state as part of measures to stop killings by armed herdsmen.
“What we are dealing with here in Benue state is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits, which has been on for decades and is worsening every year,” the Tor Tiv said.
He explained that “it is not herders/farmers clashes, it’s not communal clashes, it’s not repraisal attacks or skirmishes,” as it is said in some quarters.
The Tor Tiv, who cautioned that wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment, invited the President to take decisive actions to stop killings in Benue State and ensure justice for victims.
On his arrival, President Tinubu was led to the Fe. Moses Orshio Adasu University Teaching Hospital by Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State.
Hundreds were killed in last Friday’s attack on Yelwata, a farming community in Benue State, prompting the president’s visit.
