From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The President of Tiv Youth Organisation (TYO) in Nasarawa State, Barr Barnabas Zayol has called on the Federal Government to deploy security operatives in some parts of Doma and Keana Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state where over 50,000 farmers have been displaced by suspected herdsmen.
The Voice learnt that farmers from over 30 villages in Doma and Keana LGAs are currently taking refuge in Agyaragu, Kadarko, and Doma towns, all in Nasarawa following the recent attacks on Tiv communities which led to the death of innocent people and displacement of Tiv farmers in the state.
Barr Zayol made the call recently while interacting with journalists in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital. He lamented that since the recent attacks on some Tiv communities by suspected herdsmen, killing about eleven people in Ajimaka community and other surrounding villages, there has been no presence of security operatives to the affected areas to restore peace.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government of Nigeria to deploy security operatives to the affected places of Doma and Keana Local Government Areas because our people, amounting to over 50,000 have been displaced by suspected herdsmen.
“Each time the suspected herdsmen have issues relating to implementation of the anti-open grazing law by the Benue State government, they turn back to attack our Tiv people in Nasarawa State. Tiv people in Nasarawa State are peace-loving and friendly to other tribes in the state. They must stop attacking our people for things we know nothing or little about it,” he said.
He mentioned some of the displaced village settlements to include, Dooshima, Antsa, Dooka, Angwan Yara, Ikyayior, Targema, Tse Tor, Chia, Umurayi, Dooga, Gindan Rai, Ajikamaka and Ankoma and Gidan Rai. Others include; Zayol, Doka Atikpo amongst other communities in the state.
One of the displaced persons who is a dry season farmer in Doka community of Doma LGA, and also the Nasarawa State correspondent of the Daily Times Newspaper, Mr Augustine Kuza, in an interview with The Voice said his rice farm of over 20 hectares have been taken over by the suspected herdsmen who are now grazing on his farm.
“My rice farm of over 20 hectares has been taken over by herdsmen. They came fully armed and chased my workers in the farm away. I am calling on the government to help us deploy security operatives to the community to repel the herdsmen.
“I spent over N1 million to cultivate the farm which is now a grazing ground for the herdsmen. I am appealing to the Federal and State governments to come to my aid,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Aldo of Fulani herdsmen in the state, Alhaji Lawal Dono when contacted declined comment on the matter.
However, the Governor of the state, Engr. Abdullahi Sule had earlier condemned the brutal killing and displacement of farmers in the state, describing it as reprehensible, callous and inexcusable.
The governor said that security operatives have since commenced investigation that will expose the criminals with a view to punishing them according to the laws of the land.
