Barely 24 hours after the Tor Tiv ordered herdsmen to vacate all Tiv land by the end of May, 2025, the Och’Idoma has issued a similar notice.
The paramount ruler of the Idoma Nation, His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo, gave the order through a communique released after an emergency meeting of the Idoma Area Traditional Council and local government chairmen held at the Och’Idoma’s Palace in Otukpo on Wednesday.
The meeting was convened in response to escalating insecurity, including recent killings allegedly carried out by armed Fulani herdsmen in the region.
In the communique signed by the council, the monarch and other traditional leaders expressed deep concern over what they described as “heinous acts of violence,” mourning the loss of lives and calling for swift government action.
“All armed herdsmen are to be persuaded and directed to leave Idoma land immediately to prevent further conflicts and senseless killings of Idoma sons and daughters,” the council stated.
The traditional rulers called on the Benue State Government to engage with herder groups to ensure that farmlands are vacated to enable farming activities to resume without fear or intimidation.
The council also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities in their communities.
NATIONAL POST reports that the Tiv Area Traditional Council had earlier ordered all herders to vacate Tiv lands by the end of May 2025.
The monarchs cited continued attacks on farmers and growing concerns over food insecurity in Benue State and across the country.
The resolution followed an emergency meeting held at the palace of the Tor Tiv in Gboko, presided over by His Royal Majesty, Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse.
In a communiqué signed by the council’s secretary, Shinyi Tyozua, said: “These unprovoked attacks have disrupted farming activities at a critical time,” the council warned.
“If the trend continues, it could lead to mass hunger and exacerbate the ongoing national food crisis.
“The Council therefore RESOLVED amongst other things to: Appeal to all herders in Tiv Kingdom in Benue State to vacate all Tiv lands before the end of May 2025 to allow farmers return and cultivate their farms in order to avoid the hunger ahead in the nation.
"Request the state government to kindly create the enabling environment to allow herders’ peaceful exit of farmlands in Tiv Kingdom to facilitate resumption of farming activities."
Benue State has witnessed relentless killings by suspected herdsmen this year, leading to hundreds of residents being displaced.