Tiv Traditional Council Orders Herders to Leave Benue By End of May

Tiv Traditional Council Orders Herders to Leave Benue By End of May

Amid growing concerns over food insecurity in Benue State and across Nigeria, the Tiv Area Traditional Council has issued a firm directive to herders to vacate all Tiv lands by the end of May 2025.

The decision was reached during an emergency meeting held at the Tor Tiv’s Palace in Gboko, Benue State. The meeting was presided over by the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, CFR, and attended by all graded traditional rulers within the Tiv Kingdom.

In a communique signed by the council’s secretary, Shinyi Tyozua, the council expressed deep concern over the continued attacks and killings of farmers by armed herders. These incidents have severely disrupted farming activities, especially in the Local Government Areas of Kwande, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Ukum, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer-West, Gwer-East, and Buruku.

The council warned that if the situation persists, it could trigger widespread hunger in the region and worsen the national food crisis. To avert this, the council urged all herders to leave Tiv lands immediately to allow displaced farmers to return to their fields.

Read Also:

In addition, the council called on political and traditional leaders in the affected LGAs to initiate peaceful dialogue with the herders to facilitate their withdrawal. It also appealed to the government to provide the necessary support and environment for a smooth and non-violent relocation process.

With the 2025 planting season already underway, the council stressed the urgency of restoring peace and security to ensure farming activities can resume without further disruption.