The Tiv Youth Organisation (TYO) in Nasarawa State has alleged genocide over the indigenous Tiv people of Nasarawa state following sustained mass murder of the Tiv People by alleged Fulani herdsmen.
The TYO President, Nasarawa State, Barr. Barnabas M Zayol at a press briefing in Lafia called on the Nasarawa State Governor to intervene as Tiv Lives also matter.
“We are to let the whole world to know that the Tiv people in Nasarawa State are not happy people. We are not happy because of the perennial onslaught, pogrom, arson, maiming, displacement, and occupation of our ancestral farmlands and homes by Fulani herdsmen who boldly informed us of their readiness to deal with us amidst the threat some traditional rulers ceded our ancestral farmlands to them” he said.
He further stated that “this has been the cause of the constant killings of our people by the Fulani herdsmen whom our ancestral farmlands and some homes have been given to them by some of these traditional rulers and their allies, abusing us that we are settlers and non-indigenous in the state.”
Find below the full text of the TYO press briefing.
TIV YOUTH ORGANIZATION (TYO) NASARAWA STATE HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE ON SECURITY THREAT TO TIV COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN NASARAWA STATE, AN APPEAL FOR URGENT INTERVENTION BY BOTH THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DATED 11TH OCTOBER, 2023
INTRODUCTION
Good day ladies and gentlemen of the press. I am Barr. Barnabas M. Zayol, president Tiv Youth Organization (TYO) Nasarawa State chapter.
We welcome all of you to this very important press conference organize by TYO Nasarawa State to address and remind the relevant authorities especially the Government of Nasarawa State over the security threat to Tiv communities in the Southern Nasarawa state orchestrated by some traditional rulers in collaboration with some Fulani herdsmen and their cohorts against the indigenous Tiv communities in the southern state.
PURPOSE OF EVENT
The purpose of this press conference is to inform the relevant authorities of the current security threat and to appreciate the Government of Nasarawa State for its laudable policies and programs, especially the sensitivity it demonstrated when the security challenge is brought to his knowledge.
The proactive measure usually taken by the Government is quite commendable.
In addition, we are to let the whole world to know that the Tiv people in Nasarawa State are not happy people. We are not happy because of the perennial onslaught, pogrom, arson, maiming, displacement and occupation of our ancestral farmlands and homes by Fulani herdsmen who boldly informed us with their readiness to deal with us amidst the threat some traditional rulers ceded our ancestral farmlands to them.
This has been the cause of the constant killings of our people by the Fulani herdsmen whom our ancestral farmlands and some homes have been given to by some of these traditional rulers and their allies, abusing us that we are satlites and non-indigenous in the state.
The traditional rulers who embarked on this inimical and obnoxious practice are: Jaafaru Aliyu Oboshi, the village Head of Okpatta village Area, Engr. Adra, the village Head of Idadu village Area, Dominic Adamu, the acting village Head of Iponu, Ayuba Aguye, the District Head of Agyma, the Dist. Head of Rukubi, Dist. Head of Doka, village Head Gidan-Rai, all in Doma Local Government. The Tiv people in Doma LGA particularly Doma south are at the mercies of these traditional Rulers who are operating with the Fulani herdsmen and their kinsmen to dispossess us of our farmlands and some homes.
In Keana Local Government Area, these threats resulting to dehumanized acts against our people is prevalent. For instance, farmlands belonging to the following Tiv communities; Bature, Cha,Ukuracha, Tseyo, Kpilaior, Alima, Myom, Shatse, Atuma, are falsefully taken over by HRH Umar Usman Dodo and handed to Fulani herdsmen who have attacking the said communities.
In the same vein, Tiv communities such as Ikpe/Yaji, Tiv community, Giza Madaki, Kuduku 1 and 2, their ancestral farmlands have equally been forcefully taken over by Sangari Giza and his subordinates wherein, same have been handed to Fulani herdsmen who have been unleashing terror and various criminalities via killings, mischief, maimings, raping etc.to the inhabitants of the said communities. Recently Tyohala Ukaji was attacked and killed in his farm by Fulani herdsmen. The same thing is going on in Jimin Nyaku and Jimin Gbaga under Aloshi chiefdom where Sarkin Aloshi and his lieutenant are responsible for all the criminalities against the Tiv communities therein.
In Obi LGA, the Tiv communities are facing the same fate. These are Imon Samgor, Ibuan, Apurugh, Bar. Ubele, Burgyo their farmlands have illegally taken over by Sarkin Adudu HRH Alh. Abdullahi Mohammed Hassan and handed to Fulani herdsmen where this has become subject of constant disagreement between Fulani herdsmen and the Tiv communities resulting to killings, mischiefs maiming etc. other Tiv communities affected are Kuje, Akoor, Adam, Yange, Abaagu, Mkusu and Usula wherein, the paramount Ruler of Obi Osoku of Obi, HRH Aliyu Dangiwa Ogiri and Osoho of Olosoho HRH Dr. Umar Apeshi the paramount Ruler of Agwatashi.
The same experience in part of Lafia LGA, particularly under Asakio’s chiefdom. In Awe LGA, Awe Emirate council promised to ensure all Tiv ancestral farmlands illegally collected by some traditional Rulers upon confirmation shall be returned to the rightful and legally entitled owners.
Recently, there are killings and attacks going on in some Local Government Areas in the southern Nasarawa State. For instance, the following persons were attacked and some killed, thus:
-Zaki Aper Aku Obi LGA
-Pst John William was attacked and killed by some Fulani herdsmen from Rugal Alh. Ajau and Alh. Shagari on 20th September 2023 Obi LGA
-Tyolaha Ukaji from Kuduku 2 was attacked and killed in his farm on the 5th oct. 2023.
-Iorshase was allegedly kidnapped and brutally killed by Wazo Akwe and Saidu Ogele amongst others, in his house at Agyma, Doma LGA on 27th September, 2023.
Worst of it all, is that the attackers are boasting and proudly saying sweeping and terrifying onslaught that will be equal to genocidal effect will soon be visited or launched against our peasant farmers.
It is on account of these ugly events that TYO petitioned the State Government to look into but why the matter is going on by the panel some traditional Rulers refused to honor Government invitation to explain why their illegal conducts continued unabated.
CONCLUSION
We are calling on the state and federal Govt. as a matter of urgency to come to our aids before they annihilate us.
Barr. Barnabas M Zayol
President, Tiv Youth Organization (TYO)
Nasarawa State.
