Crime
Allege ethnic genocide: TIV indigenes begs FG, Nasarawa govt. others for rescue
By David Okpashi
Indigenous Tiv people of Nasarawa state have called on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Abdullahi Sule to urgently tackle the alleged ethic genocide currently being executed by suspected herders in Nasarawa South senatorial Zone.
They have also accused some traditional rulers within the zone of aiding and abetting the incessant killings of their people in the state.
President, Tiv Youths Organization (TYO) in Nasarawa state, Barr Barnabas Zayol in a world press conference in Lafia drew the attention of the federal and Nasarawa state governments to instances of constant killings of Tiv farmers in their ancestral homes by the Fulani herdsmen.
“Traditional rulers in the southern part of the state have resolved to embarking on ethnic and religious fight against our people who are being killed day in day out.
“This inimical and abnoxious ethnic cleansing are allegedly being masterminded by the following traditional rulers against our people: Jaafaru Aliyu Oboshi, the village head of Okpatta, Engr Adra, village head of Idadu, Dominic Adamu, the acting village head of Iponu, Ayuba Aguye, the district head of Agyma as well as the village heads of Rukubi, District village head of Gidan-Rai in Doma local government.
Barr Barnabas Zayol also alleged that the traditional rulers were operating with the Fulani herdsmen to dispossed the Tiv of ancesstoral farmlands and homes.
” In Keana LGA, the threat of dehumanization against our people is prevalent. For instance, farmlands belonging to the following Tiv communities, Bature, Cha, Ukuracha, tseyo, Kpilaior, Alima, Myom, shatse, Atuma, have been forcefully taken over by HRH Umar Usman Dodo and given to Fulani herdsmen who have been attacking the said communities ”
According to the Tiv youths leaders, the paramount ruler of Obi, the Osoku of Obi, HRH Aliyu Dangiwa Ogiri and Osoho of Olosoho, HRH Dr Umar Apeshi the paramount ruler of Agwatashi are allegedly responsible for the genocide in the area.
He disclosed that in September this year the following Tiv people including Zaki Aper Aku, Pastor John William were attacked and killed by Fulani herdsmen on 20th September 2023
Others killed according to him, include Tyolaha Ukaji from kuduku who was attack by Fulani herdsmen and killed on October 5th 2023, Late Iorshase was allegedly kidnapped and brutally killed within the month.
“Worst of it all, is that the attackers are boasting and proudly saying sweeping amd terrifying onslaught that will be equal to genocidal effect will soon be visited or launch against our peasant farmers”
According to him “we are here to let the world know that the Tiv people in Nasarawa state are not happy people, we are not happy because of the perennial onslaught, pogrom, arson, maiming, displacement and occupation of our ancestral farmlands and homes by the Fulani herdsmen”
“We are calling on the federal, Nasarawa state government and the security agencies to come to our aids before they annihilate us” , Zayol declared