The paramount ruler of the Tiv people, Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, has handed down a two-day ultimatum to traditional rulers in Konshisha and Gwer East Local Government Areas of Benue State to flush out militias and hired killers linked to the protracted Ugambe–Mbaiase crisis.
Speaking at his Gboko palace after a meeting with local chiefs and council chairmen, Ayatse through his Special Assistant on Media and ICT, Freddie Adamgbe warned village heads against harbouring armed mercenaries. He noted that such protection only fuels the violence and deepens insecurity.
Community leaders at the meeting traced the conflict to long-standing land disputes.
The monarch urged a return to the age-old Tiv values of peaceful coexistence and directed the Mue Ter of Shangev Tiev and Masev districts to ensure the immediate expulsion of all armed groups.
Ayatse further appealed to the Benue State Government to speed up the demarcation of the boundary between Ugambe and Mbaiase as a step toward permanent peace.
Local government chairmen and traditional chiefs present applauded the Tor Tiv’s intervention and pledged to enforce his directive to end the crisis.
