News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Orcivirigh Prof James Ayatse has called one the State Government to take necessary steps to ensure full implementation of the state’s Anti-Open grazing law to forestall escalation of the herders-farmers crisis especially as the planting season approaches.
The Tor Tiv, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant to on Media and ICT, Freddie Adamgbe and made available to newsmen on Sunday, expressed worries over the dangerous dimension of insecurity in his kingdom.
He noted with a heavy heart that the persistent killings of innocent lives and destruction of property and farms worth billions of naira across Tiv land by herdsmen.
He noted that as the farming season approaches, there was need for more proactive approach by the security agencies to forestall further attacks and killings of innocent citizens.
He therefore condemned the recent wanton destruction of properties by irate youths in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue state by irate youths following the gruesome killing of some youths in the area by armed herdsmen.
Recall that after the killings, youths took to the streets in protesting the death of their dear and this development subsequently led to the burning down the LG secretariat, Ter Tyoshin’s Palace, a hotel owned by the senator and other private properties.
Speaking further on the incident, the Tor Tiv cautioned youths against taking laws into their hands no matter the level of provocation.
While sympathizing with members of the bereaved families, the Tor Tiv prayed God to comfort them. He also prayed for God’s strength to bear the dastardly actions of destruction of properties for Ter Tyoshin, HRH Daniel Abomtse, and all who suffered the attacks.
The Tor Tiv also sympathized with the people of Gwer West Local Government Area for the destruction of their Secretariat and called on the State and Federal Governments to send relief materials and compensation to help those affected by the destruction.
He also called on all concerned to eschew the politicization of the herders attack but share useful ideas that can end the crisis.
Orcivirigh Ayatse further appealed to the government to deploy more security personnel to the area to calm down the situation even as he assured Tiv nation that the Tiv Area Traditional Council is not resting on its oars to find a permanent solution to the menace.
