Extend airstrikes to Benue – Traditional ruler begs Trump

The President-General of Mzough U Tiv Worldwide, Chief Iorbee Ihagh, has praised United States President Donald Trump for initiating air strikes against terrorist elements in North-West Nigeria, urging that the military action be expanded to Benue State to stop what he described as the “genocide” of Christian communities.

Speaking to our correspondent in Makurdi on Tuesday, Chief Ihagh expressed confidence that the deployment of U.S. forces to Benue would bring an end to the persistent killings of farmers and rural dwellers across the state.

According to him, “I am from Kwande local government area of Benue State, Moon Council Ward precisely, and for over 16 years we have been displaced, farms destroyed, schools and hospitals razed by herdsmen terrorists, we can no longer access our ancestral homes, anyone who attempts going there is killed.

“But with what the US troops started in the North West, I am glad that the end to terrorism is here, I have written to the American president to thank him for his bold step and to ask that his troops come to Benue, where priests, lay faithful and church members are being killed inside churches every other day, we are weighed down by the bloodbath that has engulf our lands.”

He further revealed that the Christmas Eve vigil in Makurdi was cancelled following a threat letter allegedly issued by armed herdsmen, adding that all Christmas masses were consequently held earlier, between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., for security reasons.

Chief Ihagh also commended the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Wilfred Anagbe, for taking the precautionary decision, stressing that the scale of displacement and suffering in the area amounted to a grave humanitarian emergency. 

He called on the United States to extend “the hand of fellowship” to displaced persons in Benue.

The Tiv leader equally lamented the failure of security agencies to curb the movement of terrorists openly bearing AK-47 rifles, describing the situation as alarming and unacceptable.