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Accuses State Politicians of Politicising Crisis
- Safiu Kehinde
Paramount Ruler of the Tiv Nation, Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse, has told President Bola Tinubu that the killings in Benue State is not herders-farmers or communal clash as often reported, but a well-planned genocidal invasion by armed herdsmen with land-grabbing intent.
The Benue monarch made this known during his address at the town hall meeting between Tinubu and stakeholders of the state on Wednesday.
In what he described as wrong diagnosis for wrong treatment, Ayatse maintained that the President’s initial suggestions of peace talks and tolerance were borne out of the misinformation and misrepresentation of the real situation of the Benue crisis which he alleged to be a well-plotted full scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits.
“The misinformation and misrepresentation of security crisis in Benue state, your excellency, it is not herders-farmers clashes. It is not communal clashes. It is not reprisal or skirmishes. It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as ‘remain tolerant, negotiate for peace, learn to live with your neighbour’.
“What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well planned, and full scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits which has been on for decades and it is worsening every years.
“Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. We are dealing with something far more sinister than we think about. It is not learning to live with your neighbour, it is dealing with a war.” He said.
The Tiv ruler further accused Benue politicians of politicising the crisis with some allegedly praying for it worsen in order to aid the declaration of state of emergency.
“The second apprehension that we have is the politicisation of the crisis. politicians in the state are busy politicising the crisis, passing blames instead of joining hands to address the crisis.
“We hear that there are some politicians who will even prefer that the crisis is worsened so that it will be a basis for the declaration of a state of emergency in Benue state.
“Your excellency this is unfortunate and any politician that prays for more people to die for such a project is against the wish of the people of Benue state.” He said.
Ayatse told Tinubu about the struggles of the Benue and their sacrifice to the nation, especially during the civil war.
He appealed to the President to end the genocide going on in the state as well as an end to the insecurity in other parts of the country.
“Your excellency Benue state has made a lot of sacrifices to keep this country united.
“Many of our people died during the civil war. We paid the supreme price for this country. Why should we be treated like this? What you have come to condole us is just one in a series of several massacres in this state.
“What has Benue state done to merit what we are going through? We appeal to you to end the genocide going on in Benue state and insecurity going on in other states.” He said.
In his address, Tinubu urged the traditional leaders to collaborate with the state government in order to foster peace.
He also approved the former of a leadership committee with the sole purpose of deliberating on peaceful resolution of the crisis.