Makurdi
President General, Mdzough U Tiv, Engr. Edward Ujege has expressed reservations over flyers circulated by the department of civil military affairs which erroneously portrayed Benue crop farmers as cattle rustlers.
Engr. Ujege, through a press statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Makurdi, faulted the military for assuming that Tiv people were responsible for cattle rustling.
He said local crop farmers have no capability of rustling cattle saying rustling can only be undertaken by professionals in cattlerearing.
According to Engr. Ujege, it was clear from the flyer that the military has acknowledged that Fulani herdsmen were responsible for the large scale massacre and massive destruction in Benue.
He expressed worry that, instead of addressing issues of justice, reparation and compensation, the army was compelling Benue people to accommodate the perpetrators of the heinous atrocities in the state.
Ujege also noted that the military did not also see it necessary to make reference to the Open Grazing Prohibition and Establishment of Ranches Law 2017, which was done to address the fundamental issues of making both the farmers and the herders to coexist in peace.
“The military is not only silent on the law but seems to encourage open grazing with all its concomitant consequences.
“This silence on the law points to the fact that they are not in its support and are not ready to ensure its enforcement.
“True to our predictions, the flag off of the exercise Tuesday confirmed our fears. A pamphlet circulated by the Nigerian Army has defined the real intention of the military in Benue state.
“The pamphlet in Tiv language confirmed that the military had come to provide cover for armed Fulani herdsmen to take over our land,” he added.