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By Myke Agunwa
The continued assault on helpless villages in Benue state has forced traditional council leaders in Tiv land to give herders operating in the Kingdom an ultimatum to vacate all Tiv lands by the end of May 2025.
The ultimatum was issued at the end of an emergency meeting held at the Tor Tiv Palace in Gboko, Benue state, chaired by the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, CFR and attended by all graded traditional rulers in Tiv Kingdom.
Recall that between February and May 2025, Benue State experienced series of violent attacks attributed to suspected armed herdsmen, resulting in over 150 deaths across multiple local government areas. Notable incidents include the killing of 55 individuals in Ukum and Logo LGAs in April, 19 deaths in Kwande LGA in February , and the murder of an APC chieftain along with six others in Gwer East and Makurdi LGAs in May.
These attacks have led to the displacement of over 50 communities, notably in Gwer West, Guma, and Kwande LGAs. The escalating violence has prompted urgent calls for enhanced security measures and humanitarian assistance.
In a communique signed by the Secretary of the Tiv Area Traditional Council, Shinyi Tyozua, made available to newsmen on Thursday, the council appealed to all herders in Tiv Kingdom to vacate the lands to allow farmers return to their farms and cultivate their lands.
According to the council, incessant attacks and killings of farmers by herders have brought farming activities in the kingdom to a standstill, particularly in Kwande, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Ukum, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer-West, Gwer-East, and Buruku Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue state.
The council expressed fears that if the situation continues, it would lead to hunger in the kingdom and exacerbate the food security crisis in the country.
The council also requested the political and traditional leaderships in each LGA to peacefully engage the herders to ensure their exit.
The traditional council also requested the government to create an enabling environment to facilitate the peaceful exit of herders from Tiv lands.
With the planting season underway, the council’s resolution aims to ensure that farming activities resume without further hindrance.