The paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive and sustained action to end the wave of deadly attacks that have plagued Benue communities, especially by suspected armed herdsmen.
The revered monarch made the appeal during President Tinubu’s official visit to Benue State on Thursday, where the Commander-in-Chief toured communities affected by recent violence and met with victims receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
In a deeply emotional address, the Tor Tiv welcomed President Tinubu to “the Food Basket of the Nation” and described his visit as a “gesture of solidarity” in a time of deep grief and uncertainty.
“Your physical presence offers comfort, a sense of belonging, and a ray of hope that justice and peace will ultimately prevail,” the Tor Tiv said.
However, the monarch did not hold back from expressing the pains and frustrations of his people, lamenting the destruction of lives, farmlands, and livelihoods due to the unrelenting attacks.
“Benue has paid a heavy price in human lives. Our farmers can no longer access their lands. Schools, markets, and homes have been reduced to ashes,” he said.
“We mourn, but we do not despair. We suffer, but we continue to pray for a country where every Nigerian can live in peace and dignity.”
The Tor Tiv urged President Tinubu to go beyond condolences and direct federal agencies to implement immediate and long-term measures to restore peace and justice in the region.
Central among his demands was the full enforcement and federal backing of the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.
“This law is not targeted at any ethnic group. It is designed to modernize animal husbandry and protect human lives. We need federal support to make it work.”
While acknowledging previous federal deployments of security forces, the royal father insisted that intelligence-led operations, prosecution of perpetrators, and rehabilitation of displaced persons must be prioritized.
“We are peace-loving and law-abiding people. But we cannot continue to bury our children and live as strangers in our own ancestral lands.
President Tinubu, who was accompanied by top federal and state officials, assured the people of Benue that his administration is committed to restoring peace and security across the country. He commended the resilience of Benue residents and promised to review security operations in the state.
The visit marks the President’s first official trip to Benue State since assuming office in 2023.
