The paramount ruler of the Tiv, Tor Tiv V, His Royal Majesty James Ayatse, on Wednesday, disputed claims that the endless herdsmen attacks in Benue State were reprisal attacks.
Ayatse, who was reacting to a statement by the presidency, which earlier linked the recent mass murder in the state to reprisal which requires dialogue, stated that the attacks were pure genocide and not reprisal or of remaining tolerant.
He made the declaration in presentation he made during President Bola Tinubu’s one-day visit to the troubled Benue State state on Wednesday.
He said: “We do have a grave concern with the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue State.
“Mr President, it is not herders, farmers clashes, it is not communal clashes, it is not reprisal attack.
“It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as, remain tolerant, negotiate for peace, learn to live with your neighbours.
“What we are dealing with here in Benue State is a calculated, well-planned and full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits. This has been on for decades and it’s worsening every year.
“Wrong diagnosis will lead to wrong treatment. We are dealing with something far more sinister than we think about. It is not learning to live with your neighbours, it is dealing with the war.
“The second apprehension we have, Your Excellency it’s the politicization of the crisis.
“Politicians in the state are busy politicizing the crisis, passing blames instead of joining hands to fight the crisis.
“We heard that there are some politicians who would even prefer that the crisis will worsen 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, is against the wishes of the people of Benue State.
“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 to keep this country united.
“Why should we be treated like this? What you have come to condone is just one of the series of several massacres in the 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 the insecurity in all parts of Nigeria. We know you are capable of doing this Sir.”
It could be recalled that in the latest attack, no fewer than 200 persons were murdered in one night.
Before that, hundreds of other people have also been killed in different Benue communities.
