Traditional rulers in Benue State have renewed a 14-day ultimatum to nomadic herders and suspected militants, instructing them to vacate the state’s farmlands or face decisive action.The warning was jointly issued 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, during a town hall meeting held at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House in Makurdi.
The meeting, which was part of the activities marking Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s second year in office, was organised by the office of the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communications, Solomon Iorpev.
During the session, the traditional rulers expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the state, blaming armed militias believed to be Fulani herdsmen for a series of violent killings.
Citing the continued loss of innocent lives, the traditional council issued a 14-day notice for the immediate withdrawal of nomadic herders and hostile groups from Benue lands, declaring that the safety and survival of local communities could no longer be compromised.
Deputy Governor Sam Ode, who represented Governor Alia, was present at the gathering, along with top government officials, including Emmanuel Chenge, Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, as well as local government leaders, commissioners, advisers, religious and traditional figures, political representatives, youth and women organisations, civil servants, retirees, labour groups, and student unions. An earlier deadline had been set, giving the herders until the end of May to leave Benue farmlands, as previously reported.
Source ; https://dailypost.ng/
