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In a bid to salvage the looming food security crisis in Nigeria and Benue state, the Tiv Area Traditional Council has given herders operating in Tiv Kingdom an ultimatum to vacate all Tiv lands by the end of May 2025.

The ultimatum was issued at the end of an emergency meeting held at the Tor Tiv Palace in Gboko, Benue state.

The meeting, which was chaired by the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, CFR, was attended by all graded traditional rulers in Tiv Kingdom.

According to the council, incessant attacks and killings of farmers by herders have brought farming activities in the kingdom to a standstill, particularly in Kwande, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Ukum, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer-West, Gwer-East, and Buruku Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue state.

The council expressed fears that if the situation continues, it would lead to hunger in the kingdom and exacerbate the food security crisis in the country.

In a communique signed by the Secretary of the Tiv Area Traditional Council, Shinyi Tyozua, made available to newsmen on Thursday, the council appealed to all herders in Tiv Kingdom to vacate the lands to allow farmers return to their farms and cultivate their lands.

The council also requested the political and traditional leaderships in each LGA to peacefully engage the herders to ensure their exit.

The traditional council also requested the government to create an enabling environment to facilitate the peaceful exit of herders from Tiv lands.

With the planting season underway, the council’s resolution aims to ensure that farming activities resume without further hindrance.