Benue Crisis: Tiv farmers reject ceasefire

In less that  24 hours after a purported ceasefire agreement was signed between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Benue state, at the Government House, Makurdi, victims of Fulani Herdsmen attacks in Ayilamo, Tombo ward have drastically rejected the peace pact.

Leader of Tiv Market Union (TMU) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area, Tyo Gumsi, who has fled to Gboko, said the agreement cannot stand and also described the purported ceasefire agreement as a “ huge joke and an insult “ on Benue Tiv people, who are at the receiving end of the state crisis.

The Ceasefire agreement which was signed by the National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Association and Chairman, Benue State Conflict Resolution Peace Building Committee, Bello Bodejo and Brig – Gen Atom Kpera aimed to find a way to restore peace to the troubled state.

Gumsi said; “You cannot kill people, burn their houses, occupy their lands and later sign a useless paper to stay and co- exist with them. I heard on Radio Benue that there was an agreement between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen. I also heard that in the agreement the Fulani said they would stay in Benue and co- exist with Tiv people. I think it is a huge joke.“

“I think those who signed such paper are not in anyway affected by the crisis so they don’t know the pains of seeing someone kill your father, mother and child in your presence and you are helpless.

“They are signing a peace deal yet Fulani herdsmen are still burning Ayilamo, a town, which is 10 minutes from Anyiin , the home town of Governor Gabriel Suswam.

“Those who signed the so-called agreement have sold out. I advise Tiv farmers to reject any peace deal for now, until the real victims of the crisis are involved in the discussion.”