By Blessing Emmanuel
The Paramount Ruler of the Tiv Nation, Tor Tiv V, has sent a powerful and emotional message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his condolence visit to Benue State, urging him to restore peace to the State, much more than the condolence visit. “Give us peace, not condolence,” he demanded.
Addressing the President at the site of the latest attack in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 300 people were killed in their sleep, the traditional ruler said Benue is under siege and the killings are not ordinary.
He stressed that what is happening in Benue is not about herders and farmers or communal clashes, but a well-coordinated, calculated, and long-running campaign of land grabbing by terrorist herdsmen. “This is a genocidal invasion. This is war,” he said. He warned that misrepresenting the situation leads to wrong solutions, and urged the government to call it what it truly is.
Tor Tiv thanked the President for visiting the state in person, describing it as a rare show of leadership. He acknowledged the appointments of Benue sons and daughters, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev. He praised the support President Tinubu has shown to Governor Hyacinth Alia, calling their relationship a model of unity and progress.
However, he expressed deep concerns over the politicization of the crisis. According to him, some political actors are hoping the crisis escalates so that a state of emergency can be declared in Benue. He described such behavior as wicked and unacceptable, saying any politician who wishes for more bloodshed for personal gain is an enemy of the people.
The Tor Tiv made a passionate appeal for peace. He reminded the President that Benue played a key role in preserving Nigeria’s unity during the civil war, yet continues to suffer endless attacks. He called on Tinubu to take decisive action to stop the bloodshed, saying, “All we ask is that you stop our weeping. Give us peace so our farmers can return to their land. Benue is the food basket of the nation.”
He also appealed on behalf of Tiv communities in Nasarawa State who have been displaced and wrongly labeled as settlers. “These are people who lived there before the 18th century. They cannot be called strangers,” he said.
The Tor Tiv gave an assurance that the people of Benue still believe in President Tinubu. He said Benue voters supported him not on the basis of tribe or religion, but based on merit, and they are still loyal. He expressed hope that with political will, the President can restore peace to the state.
Responding, President Tinubu acknowledged the pain and pledged immediate action. He said the visit was not the kind he wanted to make. “I didn’t come to bury the dead. I wanted to commission projects. But I am here, and I promise, we will find peace,” the President said.
President Tinubu announced plans to establish a Peace and Reconciliation Committee for Benue State. He asked the Governor to provide land for ranching as part of a long-term solution to end the deadly farmer-herder crisis. He said, “Let’s turn this tragedy into economic prosperity. Give me land, and we will build ranches.”
He condemned the continued killings and asked security agencies to ensure arrests are made. “We cannot keep losing lives without consequences. The value of human life must be greater than that of cows,” he stated.
The President urged Benue leaders to stop playing politics with the crisis and instead unite to find real solutions. He called for inter-state collaboration between Benue and Nasarawa, and emphasized the importance of tolerance, unity, and a renewed national spirit.
“As Nigerians, we live in the same house, even if we sleep in different rooms,” Tinubu said. “Let us stop fighting each other and focus on fighting our common enemies—hunger, poverty, and insecurity.”
President Tinubu also promised to personally support peace-building efforts in Benue and called on the people to rally around Governor Alia in the journey toward peace and development.
