The Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse, has said that the killings in Benue State are a planned attack aimed at taking over the region.
He recently told President Tinubu that the bloodshed has nothing to do with clashes between herders and farmers.
Speaking at a meeting with Tinubu and stakeholders in Benue, the traditional ruler declared that several people jumped to the wrong conclusion and wrongly advised Benue residents to stay calm and live peacefully with their neighbours.
According to him, the attack was not a result of communal disagreements or disputes, and it was actually a calculated plan by herder terrorists and bandits to grab lands.
He maintained that a wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment, and the reality is that Benue State is currently dealing with something far more sinister than Nigerians think.
“Your Excellency, it’s not herders-farmers clashes, it’s not communal clashes, it’s not reprisal attacks or skirmishes.
Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment… We are dealing with something far more sinister than we think. It’s not about learning to live with your neighbours; it is dealing with a war,” he said.
He further noted that the level of misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue is something that must be addressed quickly.
He concluded by demanding proper punishment for the terrorists and bandits who keep taking lives without any sense of humanity.
“We do have grave concerns about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue State,” he added.
