Tivs in Nasarawa community allege attack by herdsmen

Tiv farmers in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa state have accused herdsmen of attacking and displacing them from their homes, and occupying their farmlands.

Addressing a press conference in Kardoko Town, leader of the Tiv community in the area, William Audu, also accused the traditional ruler of Kardoko Chiefdom of collaborating with the herdsmen to forcefully take over their ancestral farmlands.

This development he said, has resulted in the sacking of over 100 Tiv setlements and the displacement of thousands of Tiv farmers who are now taking refuge in Kardoko Town.

Audu further alleged that 20 Tiv farmers were attacked and wounded while working on their farms by the herdsmen.

“In the last one month, close to 20 Tiv people have been matcheted by armed herdsmen actively supported by the two chiefs of Kadarko and Giza chiefdoms respectively.

“In the most recent time, when the attacks on our communities resumed, we petitioned the state governor to take immediate action to save our lives and property, but no significant action has happened.

“More attacks continued this week and two Tiv farmers had their hands amputated by the marauding herdsmen.

“The indegenouse Tiv people that live around Kardoko and Giza chiefdoms are faced with imminent annihilation as these chiefs continue to sponsor Fulani mercenaries to attack, main and kill our people, forcefully take over our ancestral farmlands, to advance their land grabbing agenda.

“These chiefs sell some of these lands to the Fulani herdsmen and others, they farm themselves,” he said.

Plateau discharges 6 more COVID-19 patients

Audi, explained further that the press conference is armed at alerting the world to the plight of the Tiv farmers as well as notifying the state government, security agents and other stakeholders about plans by the traditional rulers to foment trouble and create crisis in the two chiefdoms.

When contacted, the paramount ruler of Kardoko Chiefdom, the Osokadoko of Kadarko, Umaru Dodo confirmed the development, but denied conniving with the Fulani herdsmen to displaces the Tiv farmers.

He said that the Tiv people in his chiefdom cannot lay claims to any ancestral land as all lands in the chiefdom are under his control.