Massacre: Tiv threaten reprisal

The Mutual Union of the Tiv in America,
a group in the Diaspora, on Wednesday
condemned the orchestrated killing of
their kinsmen by suspected Fulani
herdsmen.
They warned that if the government
cannot defend the Tiv people, they "will
be forced to mobilise the people to
defend themselves."
The organisation, which has its
membership drawn from United States,
Canada, Mexico and other countries,
was apparently reacting to increasing
attacks on Tiv citizens in Benue State
and neigbouring communities in
Nasarawa State by suspected Fulani
herdsmen.
In the latest round of attacks in Agena, a
district community in Mbalom of Gwer
Local Government Area of Benue State,
on Tuesday, no fewer than 60 people
were reported to have been massacred
by suspected Fulani herdsmen, with
majority of the victims being children
and pregnant women.
The President of MUTA, Mr. Joseph
Unongo, and Secretary, David Agum, in a
statement in Abuja entitled, "Enough is
Enough," urged the Federal Government
to step up security measures in the
affected communities and curb the
killings.
The union, however, said that if the
Federal Government failed to provide
adequate security for the Tiv people,
they would be left with no option than
to mobilise and defend themselves from
the herdsmen.
The organisation said, "We strongly
condemn the attacks on the good
people of Benue State and other
communities across Nigeria, especially
the wanton destruction of innocent lives
and property by marauding terrorists
and mercenaries in any guise.
"It is disturbing that what started as a
local dispute along the Benue-Nasarawa
axis a few years ago, has now
manifested as a well-orchestrated
agenda to overrun the Tivland.
"This is evident both from the expanded
scope of the attacks and the
sophistication with which they are
executed. The most recent, well-
coordinated attacks and devastation of
Tiv communities in Makurdi, Guma,
Gwer, Gwer-West, Kwande, Logo, and
Katsina-Ala local government councils of
Benue State are suggestive of a deeper
plan than meets the eye."