The traditional ruler of Benue State, Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse, has disagreed with the idea that the violence in the state is due to clashes between farmers and herders. He called this belief false and misleading.

Speaking during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu and other key figures in Benue on Wednesday, June 18, the monarch said this wrong belief has caused people to advise the people of Benue to simply be more tolerant and accepting.

According to the Tor Tiv, what is happening in Benue is not a misunderstanding or a fight between groups. He described it as a carefully organized and ongoing attack by herder terrorists and bandits. He said this campaign is meant to wipe out the people and take over their land, and it has been going on for many years.

“We do have grave concerns about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue State. Your Excellency, it’s not headers-farmers clashes, it’s not communal clashes, it’s not reprisal attacks or skirmishes.

It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as ‘remain tolerant, negotiate for peace, learn to live with your neighbours’.”

What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by header terrorists and bandits, which has been going on for decades and is worsening every year.

Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. So, we are dealing with something far more sinister than we think about. It’s not learning to live with your neighbors; it is dealing with the war,” the traditional ruler said