February 17, (THEWILL) – A Forum of Tyoshin Academics (FoTA), has alleged that over 600 people were allegedly killed in 54 attacks in 10 council wards of Makurdi and Gwer-West Local Government Areas in separate communities in Benue state in the past seven years.
The Forum, however, noted that the military were able to repel three other attacks targeted at Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-West Local Government Area of the state, thereby adverting many deaths, as well as the destruction of properties.
This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi, titled: “Tyoshin Nation is Bleeding”, and signed by the Chairman and Convener of the Forum, Prof. Joseph Kerker and Secretary, Dr Terkula Maga.
The group also pointed out that during the planned attacks by suspected herdsmen, with the intention of annexing the communities, they destroyed property worth millions of naira, including worship centres, houses, schools, hospitals, bridges, among other social amenities.
“It is worthy of note that until recently, Tyoshin nation was known for its peaceful and calm atmosphere, both for her indigenes and settlers alike. Today, however, the story is different, as armed Fulani herdsmen/militia have turned our land into a slaughter-slab, where hardly a day passes without scores being killed with reckless abandon.”
According to the Forum, it is apparent, based on the unfolding events that there is a preconceived agenda by the armed Fulani herdsmen/militia and their sponsors to occupy Tyoshin land, using brutal force.
“Disguised as pastoralists, the armed Fulani herdsmen/militia have an agenda, to kill, rape, maim, occupy, and annex the whole Tyoshin community.
“As of 12th February, 2023, over 600 persons from eight council wards (Mbapa, Sengev, Saghev/Ukusu, Mbachohon, Tyoughatee, Mbabuande Gaambe Ushin and Gbaange/Tongov in Gwer West, and two council wards, such as Modern Market and Bar in Makurdi local government areas have been displaced from their homes and are now living in refugee camps in Naka, Makurdi and other parts of the state, which has created a serious humanitarian crisis requiring urgent attention.
“We want the world to know that the scale, magnitude, and the frequency of these attacks have assumed a new dimension that if nothing is done about it, and urgently, it may escalate into total annihilation and annexation of Tyoshin land by these armed Fulani herdsmen/militia.”
The statement added that the Forum was saddened by the recent attacks which led to loss of lives of several persons of Tyoshin extraction and the DPO in Gwer West; noting that no amount of provocation can justify such brutality and senseless killings.
“We view these recent attacks that destroyed several communities with high number of human casualty figures as an attempt by the armed Fulani to sustain their occupation agenda and usurp our people’s right to their ancestral lands.”
The Forum recalled that, between 2011 and 2023, Fulani militia have launched more than 54 separate attacks on Tyoshin people of which women and children constitute a significant proportion of those who have been killed but vow never to surrender any portion of their ancestral land to anyone including armed Fulani herdsmen/militia.
“Our women and daughters are being raped under most dehumanising circumstances and their privacy compromised by armed Fulani herdsmen/militia. Their dignity and pride of womanhood have been violated. The agony emanating from these abuses will remain with our women for a long time”.
The group decried that properties worth millions of Naira have been destroyed, listing other valuables lost to include houses, farmlands, hospitals, schools, markets, bridges, orchards, and even worship centres like churches.
“Where they choose not to raze down or destroy, such houses are thoroughly ransacked, and all valuables carted away. In some cases, the armed herdsmen/militia move into those houses abandoned by residents fleeing for their safety.”
According to the group, as indigenes of, and strong advocates of peace and development in their local governments they are deeply concerned by and strongly condemn the sustained unprovoked attacks on them by herdsmen.
“In solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are affected by this pogrom, we extend our heart-felt condolences to all the grieving families, their friends and loved ones. Our prayers and thoughts are with them at this difficult moment.
“We are genuinely worried by the non-concerned posture of Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, under whose command, Tyoshin people are experiencing existential threat in the hands of his fellow Fulani kinsmen.
“It is on record that Mr President is not just a Fulani man, but he is also the life Patron of Fulani Miyetti Allah, a body that has openly and severally claimed responsibility for the numerous attacks in our LGAs.
It expressed belief that President Muhammadu Buhari has both moral and constitutional obligations to defend and protect the people of Tyoshin the same way other communities in Nigeria are being protected.
The Forum chairman stated that, despite these provocative attacks, they always appealed to their people to exercise restraint by not taking law into their hands as culprits will never go unpunished in the course of time.
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