The paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, His Royal Highness Tor Tiv V, Prof. James Ayatse, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the persistent killings in Benue State are not mere clashes between herders and farmers, but deliberate and well-coordinated attacks aimed at forcefully taking over ancestral lands of the indigenous people.
Speaking during a town-hall meeting in Makurdi on Wednesday, which brought together President Tinubu, political leaders, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders, the monarch said the crisis has been gravely misunderstood by both the federal government and the international community.
“What is happening in Benue is not a farmer-herder clash as often reported. These are planned, sustained and targeted attacks with the clear intention of displacing our people and taking over their lands,” the Tor Tiv said. “We have lost hundreds of lives, entire villages have been wiped out, and thousands are living in IDP camps.”
The traditional leader urged President Tinubu to prioritize the security of rural communities and take a decisive stand against the “invasion of Benue lands under the guise of pastoral conflict.”
Mischaracterized Crisis
According to Tor Tiv, the narrative of “clashes” undermines the scale and purpose of the violence, which has included coordinated night raids, the use of sophisticated weapons, and repeated assaults on farming communities.
“We are not dealing with random violence. This is organized terrorism. Our people are being killed, not because of disputes over cattle or farmland, but because someone wants to take what belongs to us,” he said.
President Tinubu Responds
In his response, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the gravity of the situation and promised to take urgent action to restore peace and security in Benue and across the Middle Belt region.
“I have heard you loud and clear,” the president said. “We will not allow lawlessness and displacement to continue. This administration is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of ethnicity or religion, can live in safety and dignity.”
Tinubu also called for stronger collaboration between federal security agencies and local communities to ensure intelligence-driven responses to attacks.
Political Leaders Echo Concerns
Governor Hyacinth Alia and several lawmakers from the state echoed the monarch’s concerns, describing the humanitarian situation in Benue as dire. They called for the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the prosecution of those behind the violence.
According to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), more than 1.5 million people are currently displaced in the state, with many unable to return to their homes due to continued insecurity.
Calls for Justice and Land Protection
Tor Tiv concluded his remarks by appealing to the federal government to set up a special commission to investigate land-grabbing incidents in Benue and other parts of the Middle Belt. He also requested stronger enforcement of existing anti-open grazing laws in the state.
“Our people have suffered for too long. We are calling on you, Mr. President, to be the one who ends this cycle of bloodshed and injustice,” he said.
The meeting ended with a strong consensus among attendees that a new approach — one rooted in justice, transparency, and political will — is urgently needed to address what many now call a silent genocide in the heart of Nigeria.
