Benue Traditional rulers renew eviction order to Fulani herdsmen by 14 days

Traditional rulers in Benue State have issued a 14-day ultimatum to Fulani herders and suspected terrorists, demanding they vacate the state’s lands or face dire consequences.

The warning was jointly delivered by the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse (CON), and the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Chief John Elaigwu Odogbo (PhD), on behalf of the state’s traditional council.

The announcement came during a Town Hall Meeting held at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House in Makurdi. The event was organized by the office of the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communications, Chief Dr. Solomon Iorpev, as part of activities marking the second anniversary of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s administration.

Speaking on the escalating insecurity in the state, the traditional rulers condemned the persistent attacks on indigenous residents, allegedly perpetrated by armed militias suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

“Due to the recent wave of violent attacks, where original inhabitants are being gruesomely murdered in their homes, we are giving a 14-day ultimatum to all nomadic farmers and terrorist gangs to vacate Benue lands.

We cannot continue to stand by while our people are slaughtered for no just cause,” the traditional council declared unanimously.

The town hall meeting was attended by top state officials, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Others present were the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Chenge, local government chairpersons, commissioners, special advisers, traditional rulers represented by the Tor Lobi, Chief Moses Anagende, religious leaders, APC stakeholders, youth and women groups, civil servants, pensioners, labour unions, and student union bodies.