Tiv/Fulani crisis: Monarch accuses Nasarawa govt of complicity

BY PETER DURU MAKURDI— Paramount ruler of Nagi Kingdom in Benue State, Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomste, has claimed that the raging conflict between native Tiv farmers and invading Fulani herdsmen, has led to the beheading and slaughtering of more than 80 of his subjects just as he alleged the complicity of Nasarawa State government in the bloodbath.
Abomste also alleged that the neighbouring Nasarawa State government was deliberately frustrating efforts by the Benue Sate government at finding lasting solutions to the recurrent carnage along the Benue-Nasarawa border communities.
Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in Makurdi on the recent attacks on Tiv communities in Benue and Nasarawa States, the paramount ruler regretted that “the invading herdsmen are doing these with the tacit support of some government officials.”
He said: “How can anybody explain that these invading Fulani mercenaries maintain bases in communities in Nasarawa State which they use as launching pad against Tiv farmers in Benue and Nasarawa states yet the state government and the security agencies in that state feign ignorance of their activities.
“They invade our communities in canoes provided them by the indigenous community, because we all know that Fulanis don’t go in canoes. These mercenaries are killing our people and sacking our communities and everyone is turning a blind eye.
“Regrettably, the recent unfortunate development which has seen the beheading and slaughtering of my people has completely made nonsense of the recommendations of the joint peace committee set up bythe Benue and Nasaraawa State governments.”
The paramount ruler also regretted that the House of Representatives committee set up to investigate the recurrent conflict had failed to carry our its task to a logical conclusion, advising that the Federal Government step up action to stem the recurrent killings.
Culled: Vanguard