The Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, has demanded that murderous elements masquerading as herdsmen must vacate Benue State without delay.
He gave the charge while calling on the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, to decisively address the criminal elements operating under the guise of herders.
Tor Tiv gave the warning during a meeting with representatives of MACBAN, insisting that the crisis was about criminal herders who have infiltrated their ranks.
"The difficulty with this issue is that we are dealing with both herders and criminal herders.
"It’s like a situation where mechanics are going about their business and madmen have joined them, yet all are dressed the same.
"If you come here and tell us that a few criminal elements are spoiling the reputation of everyone, the first thing you must do is drive out the madmen among you.
“The original herders we knew would use sticks to guide their animals, ensuring they did not destroy farmlands. That was the herder we grew up with,” he said.
While making reference to a past meeting of northern traditional rulers, the Tor Tiv recalled a statement suggesting that cultural change cannot happen overnight, and questioned what culture was being protected.
He asked, “Is it the culture of killing and destruction? Because the nomadic lifestyle of old never caused problems it never involved killing, land-grabbing, or rape.
"Any culture that kills, maims, and destroys does not deserve to continue. It must end immediately.
“If you come with herds, we will show you where the grass is green. But if you come to kill and destroy, that is an alien culture we cannot tolerate in Benue State.
“Deal with your internal issues. Don’t say you don’t know them. They dress like you, talk like you, and carry AK-47s like you. If they walk like you and kill like you, how can you claim they are not part of you?”
Benue State has borne the brunt of the activities of criminal gangs operating as herdsmen, leading to displacement of thousands and hundreds killed.