By Peter Duru

The Chairman of Benue State Traditional Council and paramount ruler of the Tiv tribe, Orcivirigh Prof James Ayatse, has urged the Benue State Government to fully implement the state’s open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law to check rising insecurity in the state.

The Monarch, who made the call Monday, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and ICT, Freddie Adamgbe, also admonished the youths of the state to desist from taking the laws into their hands no matter the level of provocation.

The paramount ruler who was reacting to the recent activities of armed herdsmen in the state decried “the dangerous dimension of insecurity in his kingdom, particularly the wanton destruction of properties, (the burning of the Ter Tyoshin’s Palace and Gwer West Local Government Secretariat, and other private properties) by irate youths, following the gruesome killing of some youths by armed herders.”

He noted “with a heavy heart that the persistent killings of innocent lives and destruction of property and farms worth billions of Naira across Tiv land by herdsmen calls for more proactive approach by the security agencies.”

While condemning the attacks, the Tor Tiv consoled bereaved families and prayed God to comfort them. “He also prayed for God’s strength to bear the dastardly actions of destruction of properties for Ter Tyoshin, HRH Daniel Ayua Abomtse, and all who suffered the attacks.

“He also sympathized with the people of Gwer West LGA for the destruction of their Secretariat and called on the State and Federal Governments to send relief materials and compensation to help those affected by the destruction.

“He called on all concerned to eschew the politicisation of the herder’s attack but share useful ideas that can end the crisis.

“Orcivirigh Ayatse further appealed to the government to deploy more security personnel to the area to calm down the situation even as he assured Tiv nation that the Tiv Area Traditional Council is not resting on its oars to find a permanent solution to the menace.
“He further called on the State Government to take necessary steps to ensure full implementation of the Anti-Open grazing law of the state to forestall escalation of the herders-farmers crisis especially as the planting season approaches.”




https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/herders-attacks-monarch-urges-full-implementation-of-benue-grazing-law/