The paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation, Tor Tiv V, His Royal Majesty James Ayatse, has refuted claims that the ongoing killings in Benue State are a result of farmer-herder clashes.
He described such narratives as blatant misinformation that misrepresents the true nature of the crisis.
Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and key stakeholders in Benue, the Tor Tiv expressed deep concern over how this mischaracterization has influenced national discourse and policy direction.
“We have serious concerns about the misinformation surrounding the security situation in Benue State,”; Ayatse said.
“Your Excellency, this is not about herders and farmers clashing. It is not communal conflict, and it is certainly not a case of isolated reprisal attacks.”;
The monarch lamented that these false narratives have led to calls for tolerance and cohabitation, suggesting that Benue people simply need to “negotiate for peace”; and “learn to live with their neighbours.”;
“But what we are facing here is far more sinister,”; he declared.
“This is a calculated, well-coordinated, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign executed by terrorist herders and armed bandits. It has been ongoing for decades, worsening with each passing year.”;
Ayatse warned that a false diagnosis of the crisis would only continue to result in ineffective and misplaced responses.
“Wrong diagnosis leads to wrong treatment. We are not dealing with a misunderstanding between neighbours, we are confronting a war,”; he added.
