The Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse, has addressed President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the ongoing violence in Benue State is not merely a dispute between herders and farmers. Instead, he characterized the killings as a systematic campaign to seize land.
During a meeting with Tinubu and local stakeholders, Ayatse expressed concerns about the misrepresentation of the crisis. He emphasized that the violence is a “calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion” by armed groups that has persisted for decades.
Ayatse stated, “Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. We are dealing with something far more sinister than we think. It’s not about learning to live with your neighbours; it is dealing with a war.”
He urged the government to recognize the severity of the situation and take decisive action to protect the people of Benue.
This urgent call for attention comes amid rising fears and tensions in the region, as communities continue to grapple with violence and insecurity.
