The paramount ruler of the Tiv ethnic nationality, HRM James Ayatse, has dismissed narratives surrounding the Benue killings that claimed the lives of over 200 people in Yelwata community of Guma Local Government Area of the state recently.
Ayatse, during his address at a high-profile meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared that the killings are a calculated genocide aimed at wiping out his people and seizing their land.
He debunked the portrayal of the Benue killings as mere farmer-herder clashes, exposing it as a deliberate, genocidal campaign orchestrated by suspected herder terrorists.
Ayatse said: “Mr President, it is not herders, farmers clashes, it is not communal clashes, it is not a reprisal attack.
“It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as remain tolerant, negotiate for peace, and 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’s not learning to live with your neighbours, it’s dealing with the war.”
He continued: “The second apprehension we have, Your Excellency it’s the politicization of the crisis.
“Politicians in the state are busy politicizing the crisis, passing the blame instead of joining hands to fight the crisis.
“We heard that there are some politicians who would even prefer that the crisis 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 who prays for more people to die is against the wishes of the people of Benue State.”
The Monarch made these assertions as Tinubu visited Benue State on Wednesday following the spate of violence in the state.
The President, who arrived in the early hours of Wednesday, went straight to visit persons recovering from last Friday’s attack by armed herders at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
Tinubu, while addressing the Benue killings, issued stern directive to Nigeria’s security chiefs, demanding the immediate arrest of people who orchestrated the Benue killings.
He emphasized the need to effect arrests of individuals linked to the crime to restore peace and security to the state.
“Christopher… We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out,” Tinubu told the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, during a town hall meeting with political leaders in Benue State.
Benue, is the hotbed of recent killings by armed herdsmen which claimed at least 200 lives.
