The paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation, Tor Tiv V, His Royal Majesty James Ayatse, has strongly rejected claims that the ongoing killings in Benue State are merely farmer-herder clashes, describing such characterization as deliberate misinformation that distorts the true nature of the crisis.
Speaking during a high-level stakeholders meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, the Tor Tiv expressed profound concern over how this misrepresentation has shaped national discourse and policy responses to the situation in Benue.
"We have serious concerns about the misinformation surrounding the security situation in Benue State," Ayatse stated. "Your Excellency, this is not about herders and farmers clashing. It is not communal conflict, and it is certainly not a case of isolated reprisal attacks."
Beyond Simple Conflict Narrative
The monarch lamented that these false narratives have led to misguided calls for tolerance and cohabitation, suggesting that Benue people simply need to "negotiate for peace" and "learn to live with their neighbours."
"But what we are facing here is far more sinister," he declared. "This is a calculated, well-coordinated, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign executed by terrorist herders and armed bandits. It has been ongoing for decades, worsening with each passing year."
Ayatse warned that misdiagnosing the crisis would only continue to result in ineffective and misplaced responses from authorities. "Wrong diagnosis leads to wrong treatment. We are not dealing with a misunderstanding between neighbours, we are confronting a war," he emphasized.
Presidential Intervention
President Tinubu's visit to Benue State comes amid escalating security concerns in the region. During the visit, the President also met with victims of recent attacks at the Benue Teaching Hospital, demonstrating his commitment to addressing the situation.
The Tor Tiv's statements align with accounts from survivors of recent attacks, including one who reported that 20 family members were burned alive during an incident, highlighting the severity of the violence beyond typical resource-based conflicts.
The monarch's clarification challenges the prevailing narrative and calls for a more accurate assessment of the situation to develop effective solutions for lasting peace in the troubled region.
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