Benue elders tag herdsmen killings a planned genocide, fear deadlier attacks coming

Elders under the three socio-cultural organisations in Benue State, Mdzough U Tiv, Idoma National Forum and Omi Ny’Igede, have described the brutal killings in the state, allegedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen as a “planned genocide.”

The elders expressed fears of possible deadlier attacks, calling on the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government to “stand up against the planned genocide in Benue State,” targeted at decimating the people.

The elders made this disclosure in Abuja on Thursday in reaction to the New Year attacks said to have left no less than 20 persons, including women and children dead.

President-General of Mdzough U Tiv, Edward Ujege, who spoke on behalf of the elders said, “There was an alleged armed Fulani militia build-up and convergence at the Nigeria-Cameroon border and at the Agatu border with Nasarawa State.

READ ALSO: NEW YEAR KILLINGS: Fani-Kayode claims Buhari using Fulani herdsmen to wage genocidal jihad

“We the people of Benue State here represented by the Mdzough U Tiv, Idoma National Forum and Omi Ny’Igede ,the principal umbrella socio- cultural groups of the Tiv., Idoma and Igede nations wish to inform the world of the callous and barbaric unprovoked attack resulting into possible genocide and destruction of lives and properties of the Benue people by Fulani herdsmen which incidence commenced on the 1st January, 2018.

“It was reliably gathered that the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore held clandestine meetings in Nigeria and abroad to visit mayhem and genocide on the people of Benue State.

”The plot was said to be multi- directional and aimed to simultaneously invade and attack Benue from every angle so that there would be no escape for our defenseless people.

“We are calling on political parties especially the All Progressives Congress, APC, which is running the Federal Government to stand up against the planned genocide in Benue State.

“We are calling on all tribal associations to stand up to be counted on the side of Benue people in this trying times and where possible provide relief for internally displaced people who are amassing in the small villages that are yet to be attacked.”

 

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