STATEMENT BY BENUE GROUPS ON VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO'S VISIT TO BENUE STATE, MAY 16, 2018

We regard and note with mixed feelings the visit of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his team to Makurdi, Benue State. We are relieved that the Presidency has remembered its duty to all peoples in Nigeria, especially in the Benue Valley, and has finally shown some welcome but rather belated empathy with the people of Benue State. We look forward to seeing the Presidency visit several communities in the Benue Valley who have also suffered terror attacks.

We are pained to see that while the Presidency’s visit was handled by flight into Makurdi with a Nigerian Air Force plane, the same Air Force and all its arsenal, could not be deployed to protect and to provide surveillance to protect the lives of the hundreds wasted by terrorists who presumably travelled by boat and on foot over terrain that could be easily seen from the air. We call on the Federal Government and the International Community to launch an inquiry into the Nigerian Air Force’s failure to take all steps necessary to prevent and forestall these attacks – this failure resulted in the loss of many lives and the displacement of tens of thousands.

We call on the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Benue Valley States’ Emergency Management Agencies and the international community to assist the affected communities by publishing the exact numbers of those displaced by these attacks and including these figures in the Displacement Tracking Matrix for Nigeria – without accurate data, we cannot address the problems.

We are glad to see that Makurdi’s airfield is still functional and trust that part of the rehabilitation for affected Benue communities will involve the operation of commercial flights to Makurdi to open up the state for the receipt of sorely needed aid and to grant easier access to farmers for rebuilding of the state’s devastated economies.

We hope that the Vice President and his team will also visit communities in Zone C like Aila, in Agatu and speedily address the breakdown of law and order whereby, despite the passage of an anti-grazing law, cattle are roaming on the rice fields of the communities and destroying their livelihoods. This will help to address the suspicions voiced at the stakeholders meeting, and vehemently denied by the Vice President, that there is a genocidal agenda against the people of the Benue Valley.

We note the sum of NGN10billion from our commonwealth, set aside by the Presidency for rehabilitation of affected communities and emphatically state that this sum is NOT a substitute for a single Nigerian life and is no where near enough for the sheer scale of loss of life, injury, trauma and damage to the lives of the Benue people and their communities. We also trust that this is not an effort to buy the votes of a people in difficulty who have been impoverished by the triple devils of poor governance, floods and terror. Money will not buy security. A responsible, empathetic and proactive government will ensure effective security.

We call on the Federal Government to pay compensation to the affected communities, farmers and families who have suffered so much loss and deprivation at the hands of terrorists.

We call on the Federal Government to allocate more of our commonwealth to Benue and other affected states to rebuild affected communities and to work directly with communities, CSOs, the international community and other stakeholders to ensure that these funds are not diverted by federal, state and local government agencies for elections and private interests.

We call for more efficient, proactive and impartial security measures to be put in place to protect the lives of farmers.

We call for a register of all those we have lost in the Benue Valley and memorials for those lost in these terror attacks so that we will say a resounding NEVER AGAIN across the Benue Valley.

We call for justice for those murdered by these terrorists -the Federal Government and the international community MUST fish out, as a matter of urgency, the funders of the terrorists responsible for the killings across the Benue Valley. Justice must be done speedily and be seen to be so done. For without justice, there can be no lasting peace.

We stand solidly behind the Government of Nigeria as it seeks justice for those killed in the Benue Valley and rebuilds the affected communities and are committed to working with all stakeholders to bring about lasting peace and prosperity to the region and Nigeria.

Signed:

Benue Valley Professionals Network

The Benue-We-Deserve Foundation

CEE-HOPE

FEED-Africa Foundation

Sesor Empowerment Foundation

THE CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE BELT: A JOINT CIVIL SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE - ISSUED IN ABUJA ON MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2018

The trajectory of herdsmen killings in Nigeria in the past 5 years has risen exponentially with monumental loss of lives, livelihoods and property. For the most part, the destruction associated with this spiraling crisis of violence and mass killings has been grossly under-reported. In spite of the gross underreporting, in Benue State alone between 2013 and 2016, official reports have estimated that 1,878 persons were killed, 222 disappeared and 750 grievously wounded. This number included 526 women, of whom 200 (38%) were pregnant and another 231 (44%) were nursing mothers. In the first quarter of 2018, well over 600 persons were killed in Benue State. In January and February of 2018, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, recorded 169,922 internally displaced. The killings affect 12 of the 23 LGAs in the State and over 10% of the population of the State are directly affected. 

Other states in the Middle-Belt region: Plateau, Taraba, Nassarawa, Adamawa, Kwara, Kaduna and Kogi have also been impacted by this crisis and have recorded a combined number of causalities almost equal to that of Benue state. 

In the 17 years since 2001, the African Centre for Strategic Studies estimates that over 60,000 have been killed in this rising violence in the Middle Belt, representing a yearly average of over 3,500 killed. Beyond the Middle Belt, the footprint of violent mass killings in Nigeria extends to Zamfara State, for example, which has recorded well over 120 related killings between January and April 2018.

There has been no accountability for these killings. Instead, they seem to have been accompanied by impunity. In response to these killings, government has offered excuses. They have blamed foreigners or arms from Libya. Earlier in the year, the Defence Minister appeared to justify these killings, blaming them on interference with traditional grazing routes or on the adoption of laws in some states outlawing open-grazing. Such explanations are disingenuous, disreputable, and disgraceful.

Nigeria’s 1999 constitution makes clear that the primary purpose of government is the safety, security and welfare of all who live within its territory. Section 17(2)(c) of the same constitution commands that “governmental actions shall be humane”. 

While Nigerians are being killed our communities and livelihoods laid to ruin, politicians at all levels are conducting politics, setting up campaigns and carrying on with no regard for their constitutional duties of humaneness or empathy. The government has shown itself unwilling or unable to confront these killings and to put an end to them. By so doing, it has abdicated its constitutional duty to guarantee the safety, security and wellbeing of all who live in Nigeria.

The chronic mass killings in the Middle-Belt and other parts of Nigeria, such as Zamfara State, have become a blot the collective conscience of our Nigerian humanity. They have also given rise to mass displacement, creating crises civic, humanitarian, and food security crises:

•  In terms of civics, hundreds of thousands of voters are being displaced from their places of primary residence. This is a danger to the security of the 2019 elections.

•  The displacement denies the victims their livelihoods, creating dependencies for humanitarians that are presently not being addressed adequately or at all. 

•  As the victims are displaced, farms are laid fallow and young people who work them are forced into internal exile, leading to a food security crisis. 

In turn and together, this situation now endangers the very existence and coexistence of Nigeria as never before since the end of the civil war. A country like Nigeria already confronting mass casualty violence in the north-east region cannot afford the levity with which the political leadership has approached the situation in the Middle Belt.

As Nigerian citizens and members of organized civil society, we call on the Federal government to live up to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property and promoting the welfare of all who live in Nigeria. We therefore demand from the executive and legislative arms of government, clear, measurable steps to:

1.  end the impunity that has led to the spiral of the conflict in the Middle-Belt by immediate ordering of a full investigation into the killings to fish out and bringing the perpetrators of the crisis to justice;

2.  to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid and assistance to communities displaced by the crisis;

3.  ensure an urgent accounting of the missing and dead, and an estimation of the loss incurred by individuals and impacted communities; and

4.  mobilise the resources and partnerships to make it possible for people of goodwill to take a stake in bringing the crises in the Middle Belt to an end. 

As civil society, we hereby commit ourselves to action to address evidence gathering for possible accountability for mass atrocities in the Middle Belt of Nigeria as well as for humanitarian action to alleviate the suffering of the victims. For this purpose, we are establishing A Nigerian CSO Crisis Action on the Middle Belt to explore collaborative and complementary options for constructive action on the crisis of mass killings in the region. 

At this time, stand in solidarity with our fellow citizens in Benue and Zamfara States across the (other) states of the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. To them, we reiterate that you are not alone and that the injustice you suffer is our collective shame and pain. 

We call on all concerned Nigerians to join us as we organize towards a national day of mourning and remembrance later in May to memorialize all whom we have lost and demand for government that has the capacity to re-discover – if it can - the reason for its existence.

List of Attacks by Fulani Herdsmen Terrorists on the Middle Belt Region between January and April, 2018

Attacks by Fulani Herdsmen Terrorists on the Middle Belt region in the First 4 Months of 2018 (January 1 - April 25, 2018)

Here is a compiled list of all the reported killings in the Middle Belt by Fulani Terrorists from January 1 – April 25, 2018. Please read and share so everyone can understand the damage, so far caused the Fulani herdsmen terrorists. 

1.      January 1 2018,  50 Benue indigenes KILLED, 30 INJURED in Logo Benue (source; http://punchng.com/herdsmen-kill-20-injure-30-in-benue-ortom/ …)

            #MiddleBeltMassacres

2.      January 1 2018, 2 Nasarawa farmers KILLED in Awe, Nasarawa. (Source; http://punchng.com/fleeing-herdsmen-allegedly-kill-nasarawa-farmers/ …)

            #MiddleBeltMassacres

3.      January 1 2018, 25 Nasarawa farmers KILLED in Keana, Nasarawa. (source; http://punchng.com/death-toll-hits-25-in-nasarawas-herdsmen-farmers-crisis/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

4.      January 3 2018, Violent protest in Markurdi leaves 3 dead (source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/three-youths-feared-dead-benue-protest/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

5.      January 4 2018, Gun men KILL 6 in Wukari, Taraba (source http://punchng.com/gunmen-kill-seven-in-taraba/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

6.      January 4 2018, Gunmen KILL 1 in Gassol, Taraba (Source http://punchng.com/gunmen-kill-seven-in-taraba/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

7.      January 5 2018, 60 indigenes ATTACKED AND KILLED in lau, Taraba (source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/254650-taraba-communities-attacked-fulani-bachama-groups-accuse.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacre

8.      January 6 2018, Village head and 15 others ATTACKED AND KILLED in Logo, Benue. (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/village-head-15-others-killed-fresh-herdsmen-attack-benue-communities/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

9.      January 8 2018,  3 indigenes ATTACKED AND KILLED in Sardauna, Taraba (source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/254861-three-killed-six-injured-fresh-taraba-attack.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

10.  January 13 2018, At least 10 locals ATTACKED AND KILLED in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/255436-many-killed-fresh-attacks-kaduna-communities.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

11.  January 13 2018, 1 person KILLED in violent clash in Makurdi, Benue (http://sunnewsonline.com/makurdi-1-feared-dead-in-violent-clashes/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

12.  January 14 2018, 1 KILLED in Bassa, Plateau (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/1-killed-another-injured-attack-plateau-community/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

13.  January 14 2018, Herdsmen attack and kill 1 in Ibi, Taraba (Source file://localhost/tp/:http://punchng.com:armed-fulani-men-attack-taraba-community-kill-traditional-ruler:)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

14.  January 16 2018, Boko Haram attack and kill 5 in Madagali, Adamawa (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/boko-haram-terrorists-raid-adamawa-community …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

15.  January 16 2018, 6 KILLED in attack on Guma, Logo and Okpokwu, Benue (source http://punchng.com/breaking-six-killed-in-fresh-attacks-in-benue/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

16.  January 18 2018 Boko Haram KILL 5 in Madagali, Adamawa (source http://saharareporters.com/2018/01/19/boko-haram-attacks-adamawa-town-kills-five-0 …)

 #MiddleBeltMassacres

17.  January 20 2018 Hunter KILLED in Barkin Ladi, Plateau (Source http://punchng.com/suspected-herdsmen-kill-hunter-in-plateau/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

18.  January 21 2018 Reprisal attack leaves 6 dead in Juman, Adamawa (Source http://saharareporters.com/2018/01/23/herdsmen-attack-reprisal-claims-six-lives-adamawa …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

19.  January 22 2018 SARS opens fire and kill 1 in Jos South, Plateau https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/256417-sars-operatives-open-fire-jos-relaxation-spot-reportedly-kill-one.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

20.  January 23 2018 Gunmen kill family of 9 in Ardo Kola, Adamawa (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/gunmen-wipe-family-9-adamawa-kidnap-7-children/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

21.  January 24 2018 Herdsmen kill 7 in Bokkos, Plateau State http://sunnewsonline.com/suspected-herdsmen-kill-7-injure-many-in-plateau/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

22.   January 24 2018 Gunmen kill 4 in Kaiama, Kwara (Source http://sunnewsonline.com/gunmen-kill-4-vigilantes-in-kwara/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

23.  January 25 2018, attack in Bassa, Plateau State. 8 locals killed.  (http://sunnewsonline.com/suspected-herdsmen-kill-8-injure-10-persons-in-plateau/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

24.  January 26 2018, 2 policemen KILLED in Ukum, Benue (Source http://punchng.com/militia-group-kills-two-policemen-in-benue/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

25.  January 26 2018, 3 locals KILLED in Bassa, Plateau (Sourcehttp://sunnewsonline.com/plateau-fresh-herdsmen-attacks-leave-three-dead-burnt-houses/)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

26.  January 27 2018, 2 KILLED, MANY MISSING in Kaiama, Kwara (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/256870-two-killed-many-missing-local-vigilante-gunmen-clash-kwara.html …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

27.  January 28 2018, 2 KILLED in Bassa, Plateau state (Source http://sunnewsonline.com/2-killed-in-plateau-as-herdsmen-ambush-residents/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

28.  January 29 2018, 7 KILLED in Keane, Nasarawa (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/257082-seven-killed-night-attack-nasarawa-village.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

29.  January 29 2018, NNPC workers attacked and 1 killed in Guma, Benue (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/breaking-herdsmen-attack-nnpc-officials-working-petroleum-pipelines-benue-state/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

30.  January 31 2018, Gunmen assassinate a politician in Jema’a, Kaduna (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/gunmen-assassinate-kaduna-politician/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

31.  January 31 2018, Herdsmen KILL 9 in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna (Source; http://saharareporters.com/2018/02/01/suspected-fulani-herdsmen-kill-9-kaduna …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

32.  February 1 2018, 4 KILLED in Gassol, Taraba (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/breaking-gunmen-strike-taraba-killed-four/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

33.  February 2 2018, 2 KILLED in Song, Adamawa (Source http://sunnewsonline.com/2-killed-village-razed-in-herdsmen-farmers-clash-in-adamawa/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

34.  February 2 2018, 10 KILLED in Song, Adamawa (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/herders-farmers-clash-10-feared-killed-fresh-attack-yungur-song-adamawa/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

35.  February 5 2018, Herdsmen attack Gov Ortom Farmhouse and KILL 2 (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/herdsmen-attack-sack-gov-ortoms-farmhouse/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

36.  February 6 2018 attack on village KILLS 8 in Obi, Nasarawa (source http://punchng.com/eight-feared-dead-in-nasarawa-village-attack/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

37.  February 8 2018, communal clash leaves 6 DEAD in Shellen, Adamawa (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/258145-several-feared-dead-adamawa-communal-clash.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

38.  February 10 2018, Herdsmen ambush and KILL 2 police officers (source http://saharareporters.com/2018/02/11/four-officers-missing- …‘herdsmen’-ambush-police-team-benue)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

39.  February 10 2018, 3 KILLED in Bassa, Plateau (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/3-killed-plateau-ambush/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

40.  February 11 2018, 4 KILLED in Jema’a, Kaduna (Source http://punchng.com/suspected-fulani-herdsmen-kill-four-in-kaduna-village/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

41.  February 12 2018,  2 civil defence officers KILLED in Guma, Benue (http://saharareporters.com/2018/02/12/suspected-fulani-herdsmen-kill-two-nscdc-officers-benue …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

42.  February 26 2018, Worship center torched and 12 KILLED in Kajuru, Kaduna (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/260055-kaduna-violence-death-toll-12-police.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

43.  February 27 2018, 20 KILLED in Demsa, Adamawa (source http://sunnewsonline.com/herdsmen-20-killed-23-injured-in-adamawa/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

44.  March 1 2018, clash in Saradauna, Taraba leaves 15 DEAD (Source http://saharareporters.com/2018/03/03/15-killed-attacks-fulani-communities-taraba …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

45.  March 4 2018, About 20 KILLED in Saradauna, Taraba (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/260665-mambilla-20-reported-killed-300-cows-stolen-fresh-taraba-violence.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

46.  March 5 2018, 24 KILLED in Okpokwu, Benue (http://punchng.com/updated-benue-herdsmen-attack-death-toll-now-24/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

47.  March 7 2018, 2 KILLED in Takum, Taraba. (Source http://sunnewsonline.com/two-dead-in-renewed-attacks-on-taraba-villages/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

48.  March 8 2018, 11 KILLED in Bassa, Plateau (Source http://punchng.com/herdsmen-kill-11-torch-50-houses-in-plateau/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

49.  March 9 2018, 9 KILLED in Bokkos, Plateau (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/261315-infant-nine-others-killed-plateau-violence.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

50.   March 12 2018, 26 KILLED, 26 in Bassa, Plateau (Source http://punchng.com/herdsmen-kill-26-torch-11-houses-in-fresh-plateau-attacks/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

51.  March 13 2018, 2 brothers KILLED in Guma, Benue (source http://saharareporters.com/2018/03/14/herdsmen-kills-two-brothers-benue …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

52.  March 13 2018, 5 KILLED in Guma, benue (Source http://saharareporters.com/2018/03/14/herdsmen-kill-traders-benue …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

53.  March 13 2018, SARS KILL 1 in Lokoja, Kogi (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/sars-officer-kills-livestock-seller/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

54.  March 14 2018, 32 KILLED in Daima/Omala, Kogi (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/261907-32-killed-in-kogi-by-suspected-herdsmen-senator.html …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

55.  March 14 2018, Herdsmen KILL 2 soldiers in Rafiki, Bassa Plateau (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/herdsmen-youths-clash-plateau-2-operation-safe-haven-personnel-killed-2-others-injured/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

56.  March 14 2018, Herdsmen KILL 4 soldiers in Miango, Bassa, Plateau (source http://saharareporters.com/2018/03/17/fulani-herdsmen-kill-4-soldiers-garrison-commanders-convoy-injure-scores-plateau …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

57.  March 15 2018, ATTACK on Takum, Taraba leaves 5 DEAD (source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/five-people-killed-houses-razed-herdsmen-attack-taraba-communities/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

58.  March 19 2018,10 KILLED in Omala, Kogi (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/breaking-herdsmen-renew-attack-kogi-kill-traditional-rulers-9-others/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

59.  March 20 2018, 11 soldiers KILLED in Birnin Gwari (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/262528-11-soldiers-feared-killed-as-bandits-attack-nigerian-military-base.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

60.  March 22 2018, attack leaves 3 DEAD in Jos South, Plateau (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/262848-three-dead-in-plateau-community-attack.html …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

61.  March 24 2018, 5 KILLED in Makurdi, Benue (Source http://punchng.com/five-die-in-fresh-fulani-crisis-in-benue/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

62.  March 30 2018, Gunmen in army uniform KILL 6 in Jema’a, Kaduna (source http://punchng.com/gunmen-in-army-uniforms-kill-six-injure-four-in-kaduna/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

63.  April 4 2018 Attack on Chikun, Kaduna. 6 KILLED.  (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/264136-breaking-village-head-five-others-killed-as-armed-persons-attack-kaduna-community.html …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

64.  April 4 2018, family of 4 KILLED in Takum, Taraba (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/gunmen-wipe-taraba-family-4-despite-military-presence/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

65.  April 4 2018, Herdsmen KILL 10 in Gwer West, Benue (Source http://sunnewsonline.com/ten-killed-injured-fulani-herdsmen-benue/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

66.  April 5 2018, 5 KILLED in Dobga, Taraba (Source http://sunnewsonline.com/herdsmen-kill-5-thursday-attack-taraba-village/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

67.  April 5 2018, 30 KILLED in Gwer, West, Benue (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/death-toll-rises-30-benue/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

68.  April 5 2018, more than 50 KILLED in Offa, Kwara (Source http://punchng.com/we-counted-50-dead-bodies-after-banks-raid-offa-vigilance-group/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

69.  April 7 2018, Family of four KILLED in Bali, Taraba (Source http://punchng.com/family-of-four-killed-in-fresh-taraba-attack-lg-boss/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

70.  April 7 2018, Father and son KILLED in Agatu, Benue (Source http://punchng.com/herdsmen-attack-benue-community-kill-father-son/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

71.  April 8 2018, 5 KILLED in Birkin Ladi, Plateau state ( Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/264398-gunmen-kill-five-injure-three-in-plateau-community.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

72.  April 8 2018 ,5 KILLED in Obi, Nasarawa (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/264696-gunmen-attack-nasarawa-community-kill-five.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

73.  April 8 2018, 4 KILLED in Keana, Nasarawa (Source http://sunnewsonline.com/herdsmen-farmers-crisis-gunmen-kill-four-persons-in-reprisal-attack-in-nasarawa/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

74.  April 9 2018, Soldier KILLED in Guma, Benue (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/soldier-killed-herdsmen-invade-another-benue-community/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

75.  April 10 2018, Attackers in ARMY UNIFORM KILL 10 (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/264741-attackers-in-army-uniform-overrun-benue-villages-kill-10.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

76.  April 10 2018, More than 51 BODIES RECOVERED in Wukari, Taraba (Source http://sunnewsonline.com/death-toll-in-taraba-attack-rises-to-51/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

77.  April 12 2018, Gunmen KILL 2 in markudi, Benue (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/gunmen-kill-two-restive-central-nigeria-police/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

78.  April 12 2018, Gunmen KILL 2 policemen in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/264853-armed-men-kill-police-officer-kidnap-transporters-in-kaduna.html …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

79.  April 13 2018, 5 KILLED in Bassa, Kogi (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/5-dead-50-houses-razed-kogi-communities-clash-cashew/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

80.  April 14 2018, Herdsmen KILL 4 policemen in Logo, Benue (Source http://www.punchng.com/breaking-four-policemen-killed-in-benue/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

81.  April 14 2018, 78 KILLED in Obi, Nasarawa (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/hersmen-attacks-death-toll-risen-78-nasarawa/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

82.  April 17 2018, Herdsmen kill village head in Logo, Benue (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/gain-suspected-herdsmen-kill-village-head-benue-sack-community-many-missing/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

83.  April 18 2018, 4 KILLED in Bassa, by (Source http://www.punchng.com/herdsmen-kill-four-construction-workers-in-fresh-attack/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

84.  April 19 2018, police station attacked and 1 KILLED (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/gunmen-attack-police-station-kill-1-sgt-minna/ …

#MiddleBeltMassacres

85.  April 19 2018, Soldiers KILL 1 in Gwer West, Benue (Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/265547-rampaging-soldiers-set-benue-community-on-fire.html …)

 #MiddleBeltMassacres

86.  April 20 2018, Herdsmen KILL 31 in Guma, Benue (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/another-31-killed-benue/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

87.  April 25 2018, Herdsmen raid and KILL 2 priest and 17 others, Gwer East, Benue (Source https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/fresh-bloodbath-benue-2-catholic-priests-17-others-killed-herdsmen/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

88.  April 25 2018, Marauders KILL 39 people in Guma, Benue (Source http://vanguardngr.com/2018/04/herdsm …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

89.  April 25 2018,  Herdsmen attack and KILL 7 in Awe, Nassarawa (Source http://www.punchng.com/suspected-herdsmen-kill-seven-in-nasarawa-communal-clash-death-toll-hits-30/ …)

#MiddleBeltMassacres

- Compiled by Middle-Belt-Massacres

Tiv and the Claim of Conquest by Jihadist

By

Chief Raymond Ihyembe

The Tiv were never conquered by the Fulani.

If the contrary were true, you would find Emirs in Tiv land, like they have everywhere the Fulanis conquered, including Ilorin!

Second, Tiv land or , for that matter,  Benue, would  be predominantly Muslim and would have Sharia Courts.

There are no Sharia Courts in Benue!
Benue has Customary Courts like the South.

Also, the Tiv are almost 100% Christian, which would be impossible in a Fulani/ Jihadist  conquered and administered territory!

Finally, Hausa Language would have become  the Lingua Franca in Tiv Land and Benue, but, it is not.

Any Benue person who speaks Hausa has to learn it like an Ibo or Yoruba or Efik or Edo person!

So, the claim by this Professor Umar, who is perhaps a Quota System Professor, is patently false as the tell tale finger prints of Fulani conquest do not exist in Tiv land or Benue State!

The actual historical facts are as follows:
The  Tiv were the last large ethnic group to be brought under British Rule in the early 1900s.
At the time the British finally subdued the Tiv, they were practicing extreme republicanism with no Central Chief through whom the Colonial Govt could administer the Tiv Territory through the Indirect Rule System of Govt.

The Southern Tiv ( Vandeikya  and Konshisha , Kwande, Parts of Ushongo Local Govts) were administered from Obudu and Ogoja .
The Northern Tiv... Ukum, Shitile, Ugondo, Tongov, Ikurav Tiev ,Tombo, Mbagen, Kusuv , and probably Ipav, were handed over to the Emir of Muri  and  were administered from Jalingo through the Indirect Rule System of Government.

They were never conquered but put there by the British  Colonial Govt to facilitate their administration through the Indirect Rule System.

The other parts of  Tiv land.. Iharev, Masev and Nongov were similarly placed under the Emir of Nasarawa for Administration.

The Tiv resented these arrangements greatly and did not pay any attention to the two Emirs ( Muri and Nasarawa).

As a matter of fact, when the Tiv vehemently complained about being placed under the Emir of Muri, for the simple reason that they did not have a Central Chief through whom they could be administered, the Colonial Govt transferred part of the Northern  Tiv from the Emir of Muri to the AKU  UKA of Wukari, which they also resented and treated with scorn!

The Tiv Division was subsequently created and all the Tiv Areas were brought together with the Capital  at Gboko. This was in the early 1920s.
The Southern Tiv who were administered from Ogoja Province were also brought back and the whole area transferred to the Northern Administration based in Kaduna to be administered from there.

It can be seen that the Tiv were never conquered by the Fulanis/Jihadists and the last battle fought with the Jihadists, which the Tiv roundly won, is referred to as the War of DAMKOR (Damfodio)!

BENUE MASSACRE: INJUSTICE AND THE DESECRATION OF HUMAN DIGNITY (The Conspiracy of Silence)

By

Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi

Being a speech presented at the Candle Light Procession and Inter-denominational Service organized by Vanguard Against Tiv Massacre (VATIM) and Community Development Coalition (CDC) in collaboration with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

At

The National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja

Introduction
I feel greatly honoured to be invited by the Benue sons/daughters to be part of this peaceful march and address the nation/world/human race here in Abuja, the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Giving the recent ugly developments in Adamawa, Kaduna and very recently in Benue state, and the persistence of violence in our country, this gathering resonates with the challenges we face as a country in making responsible moral choices in the perilous and trying times in which we live, with ever spiraling cycles of sectarian violence. On a day such as this, we need to tell one another a thing or two, we need to look the other person in the face and say what we feel inside. I feel some furious anger, some hot anger inside me; yes we need to be outraged by events happening in our country or else, we will descend into total anarchy, with our pious or meaningless hypocrisy of political correctness. As a thank you for giving me this privileged opportunity to share some thoughts with you at this trying moment in the Benue valley, I bring you best wishes of the government and people of Benue.

It is seemingly impossible to maintain one’s equilibrium after witnessing the massacre of innocent and defenseless people in the face of harsh economic conditions. However, our role as God’s ministers is that of inspiring hope if we as a people accept responsibility for the situation in our country as divine chastisement. The pain is much and the wounds will take time to heal; without faith we cannot please God (Heb. 11:6-17) and this faith must be practical, (Jas 2:18). As leaders, the challenge we face demands that we take practical steps of faith to heal and restore the hope of the people. As leaders we must demonstrate the required tenacity to remove the national humiliation from our citizens whose dignity and rights have been abused.

THE NIGERIAN SITUATION

Let me begin by agreeing on one thing; no-one with any knowledge of the matter can underestimate the importance of this issue. According to Dennis Healey (British Politician).

History can be a dangerous guide, he argues, but it is practically the only useful guide we have. It is a far better guide than ideology, on which people otherwise tend to rely in interpreting the present and guessing about the future. But if you use history as a guide you must examine the differences from the past as well as the similarities.

For a long time in the history of our country we have been famous for trying our best to maintain the unity of our country through political and religious correctness. I am a son of a peasant farmer, who was also an astute politician, community and God fearing Church Leader. I must acknowledge that I have the privilege of enjoying the two sides of life: the rural and the urban. These are two worlds of hot anger and correctness. When the correctness does not work, you apply the hot anger by calling things by their names. This is what I learned from my father.

For a country that has known different types of violence ranging from civil war which came up at the dawn of our independence, to armed robbery, kidnapping, ethnic crisis, religious clashes, political killings orchestrated by political thuggery; Niger-Delta militancy, to other forms of violence; herdsmen terrorists, Boko Haram etc, which have brought a new and similar dimension to our experience of violence in Nigeria. According to Bishop Lucius Ugorji.

Its members combine the murderous suicide tactics of terrorists with guerilla modes of operation accompanied by virulent attacks…with impunity they kill and maim innocent people indiscriminately. The unspeakable evil made vivid in the horrific images of human beings butchered like animals; instills fear and trembling, traumatizes the populace and fuels a culture of violence which affectsthe psyche of young Nigerians.

This is not just murder, which displeases God, but this is genocide. When women even pregnant women and children are gruesomely murdered, then the attacks become genocidal and this is precisely what is happening in Benue. The Christian church totally condemns any assault, directly or indirectly on any human life, be it Tiv, Idoma, Fulani or any tribe as this is a direct transgression against God and humanity.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI points out that “those who kill by acts of terrorism actually despair of humanity, of life, of the future. In their view everything is to be hated and destroyed. (Benedict XVI address in Cotonou during his visit. 19th November, 2011).  On the same note, St. Pope John Paul II has this to add:
…when terrorist organizations…attack defenceless and unsuspecting people they show clearly the death-wish that feeds them…terrorism is built on contempt for life. For this reason, not only does it commit intolerable crimes, but because it resorts to terror, it is itself a true crime against humanity. (St. Pope John Paul II, 2002 message for World Peace).

I call on the federal government led by President Buhari to deal decisively with these attacks. The reverberation of these attacks in different parts of the country with the latest in Benue only spells one thing – division. This situation if not carefully and swiftly handled is capable of degenerating into a war situation. When those who are attacked feel not sufficiently defended by those who have sworn an oath to defend them, then the only option left is the rise to self-defense. This will simply bring about proliferation of arms and that becomes chaotic for a nation like Nigeria.

The insufficient actions and at times inaction (what I consider CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE) only point to a nod or an encouraging body language to the perpetrators of these attacks.I call on the United Nations, the European Union, and indeed the entire international community to come to the aid of the Tiv nation and the Benue people who are facing attacks in the magnitude of a genocide. Let me warn that the population of Nigeria is too big to manage a refugee situation; a stitch in time saves nine! (Let me share this story of a professional goalkeeper in a village. There was a fire outbreak in a four storey building in a particular village, and the fire began from the ground floor, people were jumping out from the windows, doors and any available opening. Right at the topmost floor, there was a woman who was nursing a baby of about a month old. She had the difficulty of jumping out and leaving the child behind, and any attempt to come out with her baby, the two of them would be burnt. So, neighbours came and were shouting, calling to throw the child down and she would not want to be deceived. So, they went and called in a famous goalkeeper in the village who was known for professional goal keeping. When the woman saw the goal keeper, she became happy and confident that her baby will be in safe hands. At that instance, she threw the baby down and the goalkeeper caught it rightly, and everybody applauded. In the euphoria that followed, the goal keeper thought that he was in the football pitch and forgot he was carrying a baby. Out of excitement, he kicked the baby back into the burning fire. This is our situation in Nigeria. We vote for our leaders with very high hopes, thinking they would be our messiahs. But on getting into leadership positions, they take us back into oblivion.)

STATISTICAL FIGURES
At this juncture I will like to briefly furnish you with some facts and figures regarding the refugee situation currently in Benue State. With the resurged violence of 1st January, 2018, record in Logo and Guma LGAs it is officially stated that over 73 persons, women, men and children were slain, although local sources put the figure at over 100 (those whose corpses were recovered.) The method of killings and degrading treatment given to women and children ranging from body part harvesting, beheading, torture, rape, strangulation, infanticide among others recorded can only be likened to genocidal activities like that of Rwanda in 1994 as well as those of ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

The conflict has reduced the human rights profile of the communities as over 100,000 have been displaced from Mbagber, Ukemberagya/Tswarev, Turan, and other council wards.

Currently, adhoc shelters are being sought as follows:

LGA
ADHOC IDP CAMP
ESTIMATED POPULATION

Logo
UBE Centre Ugba
1, 706

RCM Primary School
341

LGEA School, Abeda
1, 507

NKST School Abeda
234

Ashi Polytechnic Anyiin
5, 478

NKST Anyiin
12, 468

Guma
LGEA School Gbajimba
6, 829

St. Francis Church Daudu
5, 456

UNHCR Shelter Daudu
 4, 300

LGEA School, Torkula
3, 685

Total
42, 067

The data above may however be far below actually displaced persons as many households sampled reported that more than half of displaced persons were living with relations rather than camps. Perceived population of IDPs is placed at 140,000 in Logo and 93,000 in Guma.

Most of the camps are poorly constituted, lacking coordination. IDPs use classroom blocks as shelters with poor facilities making them vulnerable to preventable deceases.

Water supply is short in the IDP caps as the IDPs continue to rely on water sources of communities thus increasing the burden and competition over resource use. Food is in gross short supply because attempts made to return to the villages to mobilize food are repelled by the armed herdsmen who currently occupy those communities.

4. TERRORISM
“Terrorism” is the institutional violence of a fundamentalist. The word “terrorism” is politically and emotionally changed and this greatly compounds the difficulty of providing a precise definition. According to Bishop Lucius Ugorji, “since one man’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter, there is no generally accepted definition of the term.

However, common definitions of terrorism refer to those violent acts, perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal, that are intended to create fear (terror) and which deliberately target or disregard the safety of civilians. (cf Lucius Ugorji, a paper presented on the Christian Response on Fundamentalism.)
Terrorists can come from any social, political or religious group. It is very common among religious terrorists to hear rhetoric about “pure evil” or “Satan.” By characterizing their perceived enemies as satanic, they tend to justify hatred and even mass slaughter.

Herdsmen terrorists  
Things have been moving so fast that in this country that it is very difficult to keep up with them. The future of Nigeria is now impossible to predict; in fact you can say that if you are not confused you do not know what is going on. It is like pressing the fast rewind button on a video recorder and wondering whether it will stop in 1960, 1967 – 1970s, the 1980s -1990s (days of the military era) or when? Certainly I think anybody with a sense of history must reflect on the lessons of the past and not on ideologies. And if we do a good reflection, we will start by asking the right question. Hence, according to Dennis Healey:

The moment you have got the question rightly formulated, the possibility of a solution is imminent. Our duty now is to define that question, and to start working out the answer (Dennis Haeley: English politician, paper presentation, 27th February, 1984, London, England).
The simple question is; when has the Fulani herdsman started carrying sophisticated weapons “AK47 and not a staff as is typical of shepherds or pastoralists/nomads?This is a characteristic feature of shepherds as contained in Psalm 23:1,4 with your crook and staff, you lead them to greener pastures and not with AK 47, Revolver, or Pump Action Guns. Thus we classify this group of erdsmen as terrorists. They are out for ethnic cleansing going by their mode of operations. And there is no other word to describe it better than to say what is happening is genocide!

In my estimation, this is not something that should be taken for granted by anybody. We cannot remain silent in the face of this gruesome murder/massacre of the Benue people. Words by government leaders are inadequate when confronted with the absolute immorality and senselessness of the murder of these people. We look for rational understanding of something that is beyond human comprehension. We seek definitive answers. We demand that action/proactive action be taken now to bring those involved to judgment and stop further bloodshed.

The style of killings left no one in doubt that it was a manifestation of absolute evil. According to Gerhard Schroder, German Chancellor 1998-2006 talking about the holocaust on 25thJanuary, 2005, in Berlin has this to say:

Evil is not a political or scientific category but after Auschwitz, who could doubt that it exists, and that it manifested itself in the hate driven genocide carried out by the Nazi regime?

He continued;

“Noting this fact does not permit us to circumvent our responsibility by blaming everything on a demonic Hiltler. The evil manifested in the Nazi ideology was not without its precursors. There was a tradition behind the rise of this brutal ideology and the accompanying loss of moral inhibition. Above all it needs to be said that the Nazi ideology was something that people supported at the time and that they took time in putting into effect.”

If one would ask; who owns this herds of cattle, is it the Fulanis in the bush or those in political offices. Who buys these weapons for them?And why are they carrying about unlicensed weapons? It is easy to know why the leaders of our country are keeping quiet; as long as the destruction lasts.
The past cannot be overcome, it is the past. But its traces and above all, the lessons to be learned from it extend to the present. There will never be anything that can make up for the horror, the torment and the agony that took place in Guma/Logo local government areasof Benue State on the early hours of 1st January 2018. It is only possible to provide the families of those who died and the survivors a certain amount of compensation.
It is true, the temptation to forget is very great, because many of us are perhaps interested in making statements that are politically correct and not facing the reality of the injustice and the desecration of human dignity by the herdsmen possibly based on their ideologies.
At this point, it is good for our leaders to know that:

“The United Nations Convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide was a direct effect on the holocaust on international law. It requires people of different cultural, religious, and racial origins to respect and protect life and human dignity throughout the world. (The convention was framed by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland in December 1948, and came into force in January 1951.)

This law is binding on Nigeria as a member state under the United Nations and so we demand that the perpetrators of this genocide in Benue and other parts of the country must be brought to face the law.

LET THIS KILLINGS BY THE HERDSMEN TERRORISTS BE REMEMBERED FOR A PURPOSE 
Remembrance of the sad event of the killings by the herdsmen terrorist and where it has happened in this country is an essential component in fashioning the future. The speech this evening in the National Ecumenical Centre does not limit itself to lamentations over human wickedness, nor to dwelling on the message of hope in adversity provided by Psalm 2 – a sacred text for all religions. By the words of this Psalm, we know that faith can be applied practically to forestall the evils perpetrated under a godless ideology. These words of the ancient Psalm rise from our hearts:

I have become like a broken vessel. I hear the whispering of many-terror on every side-as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. but I trust in you O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”

Using the words of St. Pope John Paul II in his address to the Jews in Jerusalem on 23rd March, 2000 says:
We are overcome by the echo of the heart-rending laments of so many. Men, women, (the aged), children, infants, cry out to us from the depths of the horror that they experienced. How can we fail to heed their cry? No one can forget or ignore what happened; no one can diminish its scale.

We wish to remember those our brothers and sisters, our children and women and our parents. We wish to remember them for a purpose, namely to ensure that never will evil prevail. How could man have such utter contempt for man? Because he had reached the point of contempt for God. Only a godless ideology could plan and carryout the type of disgustful killings of fellow human beings.
But amidst all this pain which we are going through now; we believe and trust in God and our Lord Jesus and recognize that:

Not even in the darkest hour is the light extinguished. Thus the entire bible, though well aware of the human capacity for evil, also proclaims that evil will not have the last word. Out of the depths of pain and sorrow, the believer’s heart cries out: “I trust in you, O Lord; I say you are my God, in you O Lord, I have taken refuge, deliver me in your righteousness. Psalm 31.

As a Christian, and a Catholic, my religion teaches me and my spiritual experience demands that we overcome evil with Good. We remember, but not with the desire for vengeance or as an incentive for hatred. For us, to remember is to pray for peace, and justice for all.

RECOMMENDATIONS
One of the initial steps recommended is to conduct a rapid needs assessment to determine required immediate support.
The federal and state government should mop up all the adhoc camps into few central IDP camps and put in place a camp a management system as well as facilities.
Food and non-food items should be supplied to IDPs at the camps and within communities. Supplies should address the food needs of children differently from adults.
Security should be reinforced at the IDP camps to forestall attacks and other crimes associated with insecurity at the camps e.g. trafficking in persons and drugs.
Psychosocial First Aid should be provided for survivors wit stress symptoms like flash suicidal ideation and severe post traumatic stress disorder.

Basic health care support should be provided especially immunization and anti/post-natal services for children and expecting mothers. Specific attention should be paid to de-worming, flu attacks and other communicable diseases like Hepatitis B.

A national dialogue on pastoralism and insecurity should be convened to develop strategic roadmap to ending armed violence by herders. Priority should be on breaking of mercenaries and smuggled migrants, financing networks for the violence, hate speeches etc. a charter of commitment to end the violence should be developed and signed by security agencies, leadership of pastoralist organization and other key stakeholders.
A truth and justice reconciliation programme should be launched to promote forgiveness, healing and reintegration. The models used in Rwanda and Sierra Leone following genocide and civil war respectively should be adopted. Religious leaders in the state should facilitate this process.

CONCLUSION
Pope John Paul II admonished us on the need for peace in these words: “Do not be afraid to take a change on peace, to live peace…peace will be the last word of history.” “Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create.” And in Cf words of Nelson Mandela, “The sight of freedom looming on the horizon should encourage us to redouble our efforts.”

Dear friends in Christ, Albert Einstein once said “the world will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by those who watch them without doing anything.” It is my hope that our efforts here today will be able to yield the desired results as we continue to work towards bandaging the wounds of our people and giving them hope.

Together with you this evening, I bow my head before the victims of the crisis whose 73 corpses we buried on 11th January, 2018 in Makurdi. Even if one day the names of the victims should fade in the memory of mankind; their fate will not be forgotten. They will remain in the heart of history.