From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Worried over the dangerous dimension of insecurity in his kingdom, the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Orcivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, has condemned the wanton destruction of properties by irate youths in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
The Tor Tiv made this condemnation in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and ICT, Freddie Adamgbe, and made available to the media on Sunday.
Youths had taken to the streets in protest after three locals were gruesomely killed by armed herders. In the course of the protest, the youths burnt down the LG secretariat, Ter Tyoshin’s Palace, and other private properties.
Reacting to the development, the Tor Tiv admonished the youths to desist from further attempts to take the law into their own hands, no matter the level of provocation.
The Tor Tiv 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 call for a more proactive approach by security agencies.
While condemning the attack by armed herders, the Tor Tiv consoled members of the bereaved families and prayed for God to comfort them.
He also prayed for God’s strength for Ter Tyoshin, HRH Daniel Abomtse, and all who suffered the attacks to bear the dastardly actions of property destruction.
The Tor Tiv also sympathised 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 politicisation of the herders’ attacks 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 the situation, even as he assured the Tiv nation that the Tiv Area Traditional Council is not resting on its oars to find a permanent solution to the menace.
He further called on the state government to take necessary steps to ensure full implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Law of the state to forestall an escalation of the herders-farmers crisis, especially as the planting season approaches.