Traditional rulers in Benue State have issued a 14-day ultimatum to nomadic herders and individuals suspected of engaging in terrorist activities, instructing them to vacate the state's farmlands or face stringent consequences.
The directive was jointly announced by the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Chief John Elaigwu Odogbo, on behalf of the Benue State Traditional Council.
This pronouncement was made during a Town Hall Meeting held at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House in Makurdi.
Representing the collective stance of the Benue State Traditional Council, the royal fathers emphasized that this latest ultimatum follows an earlier notice given to herders to vacate the state's farmlands by the end of May.
The event, part of activities marking Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s second year in office, was convened by the office of the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communications, Solomon Iorpev.
The traditional rulers decried the worsening insecurity across the state, particularly the killings allegedly carried out by armed militias suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
“Due to the alarming escalation of violent attacks, in which innocent indigenous residents are being gruesomely murdered in their homes, we are issuing a 14-day ultimatum to all nomadic herders and terrorist elements to leave Benue lands immediately”.
“We can no longer fold our arms while our people are slaughtered without justification. This is a matter of survival for our communities”.
The town hall was attended by several top government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, who represented Governor Alia.