TheParamount ruler of Tyoshin kingdom in Benue state, HRH, Ayua Abomtse, has raised the alarm over the activities of armed herdsmen in his domain lamenting that over 67 of his subjects have been killed by the marauders who weekend destroyed his guinea corn and cassava farms.
The royal father who spoke in a telephone interview said the armed herdsmen invaded Abomtse Farms near Mbakpa Forest, along Naka-Agagbe road, and destroyed the over 20 hectares of farm worth millions of Naira.
While lamenting the level of killings and destruction in his community, the Ter Tyoshin expressed fear about the impunity the armed herdsmen had been exhibiting in Gwer West, Benue state and other parts of the country where they kill without restriction and remorse as well as destroying people’s farms without fear.
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He warned that the country was reaching its breaking point if nothing was done to check the activities of the armed herdsmen and to salvage the situation.
The Royal Father appealed to governments at all levels to save the citizens from the shackles of the terrorists herdsmen, saying “it is high time the Federal Government proscribed the unlawful activities of the terrorists masquerading as herdsmen.
“In my domain alone, they have killed about 67 persons from the beginning of January 2024 to Saturday November 23. I have been taking notes. In my village Nagi, I recorded the highest casualty.
“Aside these killings, my farm that is situated on the road where the military operation, known as Operation Whirl Stroke used to pass through on a daily basis was destroyed. And I strongly suspect that they turned a blind eye to the killings and destructions. It is as bad as that. One cannot help but conclude that the operation has outlived its welcome because of their inactivities in the communities.
“We are tired of what is happening, the time has cone for the President Bola Tinubu’s government to introduce State Police in the country so that communities can police themselves. It is high time we allowed state police to take root.
“Since the Federal conventional security cannot give us enough protection let the Federal Government hasten the process of establishing state police. And it should take root from Council Wards. So that we can check the excesses of these terrorists masquerading as herdsmen.
“I also call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to establish a unit of the Police in Nagi to protect my people who are living at the mercy of the killer herdsmen.”