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.”
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 20:38:47 +0000
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