A group of professionals of Tiv extraction on Thursday advised Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to tread cautiously with the idea of donating land for ranching to any group linked to the current attacks and killings in the state.
Suspected Fulani herdsmen have been accused of being responsible for the death of hundreds of Benue people in recent attacks with several farmers displaced, and their properties destroyed.
President of the group known as OnTiv Profesionals Association, Engineer Abraham Aku told journalists in Abuja that the intention of the killer herdsmen in Benue was the total displacement of the people from community lands with the view to grabbing same.
Engineer Aku who urged the Federal Government to designate killer herdsmen as a ‘terrorist group’ said that it was urgent for Governor Alia to break the silence and enforce the existing Anti-Open Grazing law and stop the reckless wantom killing by the marauding herdsmen alleged to be foreigners.
“The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency declare killer herdsmen a terrorist group and deploy adequate state resources to reign them in,” he added.
In recent attacks, armed herdsmen carrying AK-47 rifles on Friday 18, 2025 invaded the Gbagir community of Ukum Local Government Area and targeted worshippers, resulting in the death of over 70 people.
NewsQuest reports that suspected Fulani herdsmen between April 15-16 also attacked the Otobi community in the Akpa district of Otukpo Local Government Area, killing at least 13 people, and burning over 50 houses.
Coordinated ambushes and attacks by the herdsmen in Gwer West, and Gwer East Local Government Areas have also resulted in the death of several people.
According to the President of the OnTiv group “Sometimes, the youth will come together to rescue and pick up dead bodies, that is when the military comes in to rather arrest them. They will completely forget about those who caused the mayhem, this approach must stop.”
He said “ In the most recent deadly attacks on communities in Kwande, Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala local governments, it was reported that over 300 lives of innocent citizens were wasted with property worth billions of naira destroyed. The gory situation is replicated across the state.
“OnTiv Professionals are confident that these are not just herders but a Fulani militia group with a predetermined agenda against Benue State and the entire Benue valley. Survivals have confirmed that there are tactically coordinated militias, wielding military-grade weapons -AK-47s, AK-49s, RPGs, drones, GPMGs, and well-sophisticated weapons and tools.”
Also speaking, Engineer Benjamin Nyior, a Trustee of the group explained that the issue of donating land to any Funali herders for ranching in Benue State was not possible.
“We want to say that the issue of donating land is not going to be possible. For the past years, there have been several attempts by the Federal Government to acquire land for ranching or grazing of Fulani cattle, what we know is that the land is not available, and when you are doing your business, you should sponsor it,” he stressed.
“There is no way that you expect the State government will donate land. From what we are even experiencing, the target is not just to ranch but to grab the land because they feel that it is fertile land good for their cattle.
“In the past, they attempted to bring up the RUGA policy, but we resisted and survived it, now, they are coming up with the issue of donating land. Why do you concentrate on the Benue land,? Engineer Nyior wondered.
The group therefore advised that whatever approach is being adopted for ranching in the country, the government must allow herders to operate in their home states and source for feeding in other regions, a system that could further create additional job opportunities.
