Nasarawa: Tiv Seeks Peace With Alago, Gwandara Community
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – As part of efforts aimed at cementing relationship with their neighbours in the Southern senatorial zone, the Tiv community in Nasarawa State has embarked on a peace advocacy tour to some traditional rulers.
Under the umbrella of Tiv Development Association (TIDA) and Ate U Nasarawa, the community said the new initiative is necessary to correct the wrong impression created by the activities of some unscrupulous elements in recent time.
Led by the new Ter Tiv Nasarawa State, Chief Clement Ibo and TIDA President, Comrade Peter Ahemba, the train visited Giza in Keana Local Government Area, and Obi Local Government Area on Wednesday during which the community distanced self from the ‘distorted open letter’ purportedly written to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State by an unidentified James Saaondo, claiming the ownership of some Alago ancestral towns and villages in the Southern senatorial zone of the state.
At the Palace of the Sangari of Giza and Osuko Palace in Obi, the leaders expressed their desire to reunite the Tiv with their Alago neighbours.
Both the Alago and Tiv, they noted have lived together peacefully for decades without problems and therefore called on all stakeholders to ignore any memo that suggests bad blood between the two ethnic groups.
In his remarks, the Osuko of Obi, Alhaji Aliyu Dangiwa Orume, who received the team, charged them to explore all avenues in bringing about peace.
The monarch assured of his Chiefdom determination to promote coexistence among all the ethnic groups in his dormain and therefore tasked TIDA and Ate leadership to always verify reports before acting upon as previous ones were later proved to be hearsay or lies.
The Tiv community has been under intense pressure resulting into killings of farmers by suspected armed Fulani herders fleeing away from neighbouring Benue and the clashes with Alago youths over some farmlands.
The tour which is expected to last for a week, is aimed at getting some selected traditional rulers and political leaders from the trouble communities to help douse tension in the area.
