Tor Tiv, Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse
By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi –
The paramount ruler of Tiv nation, the Tor Tiv, Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse has described the latest killings and disruption of public order in Ayati communities, Ukum Local Government Area, as barbaric, shocking, and trumatising.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Tor Tiv and Media and ICT, Freddie Adamgbe quoted the Tor Tiv as lamenting the untiring efforts over the years from community leaders, government and the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) to contain the carnage ìn the Sankera axis, and how the latest incident with dozens of people murdered in cold blood is indeed depressing.
Tor Tiv spokesman informed that Tor Tiv who has been in mourning since the incidence wondered why external forces have kept on sponsoring and murdering, in concert with local misguided elements of the area that have sold themselves to evil and are in complicity in killing their very kith and kin.
The Begha u Tiv said in spite of the latest initiative of Sankera sons and daughters who have had peace meetings, and are working for peace to return in the area for the overall development, the perpetrators still carried on their heinous act and urged that no one should feel dampened over the incident to give up.
While condemning the attacks, His Royal Majesty also commiserated with direct victims of the attacks and killings, as well as their families, and many that were currently displaced and were living in fear and uncertainty.
He called on all citizens to cooperate with government, security agencies and all initiatives of government and charged that perpetrators must be fished out and brought to book and urgently too.
Tor Tiv expressed the commitment of the TATC to work in cooperation and partnership with government, to bring peace to all parts of Tiv land, but warned the youths that were being used by local and external sponsors that the wrath of the traditional authority was fully evoked against them, and any one directly or complicit in the unending killings in both Ayati and across his domain.
He expressed confidence that peace would return and fast too, and encouraged the people to have confidence in efforts to peace and not be disillusioned by the unwarranted and painful bloodbath.
