The Tiv Community in Nasarawa State, under the umbrella of Tiv Development Association (TIDA), has condemned in strong terms, the violent clash between some Tiv people of the neighbouring Benue State and Alago people of Keana Local Government Area of the state which resulted to the destruction of lives and property.

President of the association, Comrade Simeon Apusu, who made the condemnation while speaking with newsmen shortly after an Emergency State Executive Council Meeting of the association in Lafia Tuesday equally condemned the killing of innocent Tiv farmers resident in Keana town and destruction of their property by armed men.

He regretted that the situation has led to the displacement of hundreds of Tiv farmers in Keana town and those of Obosidoma and other nearby Tiv villages in the area, insisting that the resort to violence in conflict situations was counter productive hence, dialogue must be encouraged as the best means of resolving disagreement amongst communities.

The TIDA President commended the state government for proactively deploying security operatives in the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order and called for deployment of more security operatives in Keana town and other surrounding Tiv villages in the area to enable the displaced persons return to their homes.

Comrade Apusu also appealed to the state and Federal Government to hasten the ongoing boundary demarcation process between Nasarawa and Benue states in order to provide a permanent solution to the incessant land dispute between farmers at the border areas of the two states.

The TIDA President called on the Tiv people, especially the youth not to take laws into their hands as the TIDA leadership was working in synergy with the state government and other relevant stakeholders for the restoration of permanent peace.

While expressing his condolences to the immediate families of the victims, the Osana of Keana and the entire peace-loving people of Keana local government over the unfortunate incident, the TIDA President prayed God to repose the souls of those killed and quick healing to the injured victims.

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Tiv Community in Nasarawa Condemns Attacks, Killing of Innocent Citizens in Keana Local Government, Calls for Peace