Benue communities urge FG to check killings

A group, known as Mutual Union of Tiv, Lagos Chapter, has called on the federal government to urgently check the killings in Benue State and in Tiv communities.

According to them, if nothing was done to check the killings, which they alleged was spiraling out of control; they would have no choice than to resort to self defence.

The President General of the group, Prince Aondowase Ikyernum Kajo, said: "Tiv land is literally under siege from ferocious invaders, who the federal government has severally claimed are faceless. But their victims said these invaders are armed Fulani herdsmen. Whoever these attackers maybe, we want government to live up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens from their unwarranted attacks. FG should not let them turn Benue into a valley of blood and dry bones.”

Kajo, while giving a breakdown of the killings in Benue, in the last months said: “Between 2013 and 2016, these killers have murdered 1878 men and women, including children from 12 local government areas. At least 99,427 households have been affected and property worth billions of naira destroyed. In 2017, it is more than 60% of the killings in the last three years."

The group unanimously urged the government to “stop herdsmen invasion and occupation of our land. There is no land in Tiv nation for grazing and ranching. Use Sambisa forest as national grazing reserve. We say no to state of emergency in Benue State. Stop marginalising Tiv people.”