Following an escalating conflicts and an endless killing in some parts of Benue state the Nigerian House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian Army and the the police to deploy men in villages where such escalating conflicts between herdsmen and the Tiv have claimed many lives lately.
In Benue state, herdsmen and the Tiv have had a running battle in recent time over the destruction of farmlands by cattle, especially in Moon, Kwande Local Government Area of the state. The fighting also spilled into the Makurdi-Lafia Expressway and parts of Guma Local Government Area, where thousands of villagers were reportedly sacked by the herdsmen.
Further down south of the state, a similar conflict between villagers in Agatu and the herdsmen is yet to abate. A member from Benue State, Mr. Benjamin Aboho, told the House that since April 2013, villagers in Moon had not known peace due to “persistent attacks” by the herdsmen.
Part of his motion read, “Since February 14, 2014, the same communities in Moon Ward were attacked by armed nomadic herdsmen resulting in killings and destruction of property. “The herdsmen have virtually occupied the land, thus sending families again to other locations to take refuge. The situation has remained till today.
“The continuous occupation of the land will make citizens to attempt to fight back, which may worsen the security situation. Armed herdsmen easily invade Moon Ward because the only police post located at Anyiase is manned by four unarmed men, despite the fact that Moon has international border with Cameroon.”
Lawmakers unanimously endorsed the motion and directed the National Emergency Management Agency to “establish a camp for the villagers and provide relief materials.”
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