Tiv Youths Call On Nasarawa Government To Prosecute Perpetrators Of Crisis In Keana

Tiv youths in Nasarawa State have called on the State Government to prosecute the perpetrators of the crisis that has engulfed Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and its environs.

In a press statement signed by the President of Tiv Youths Organization (TYO), Comrade Isaiah Audu, the Tiv youths warned that the crisis, if not immediately ended, “can only lead to a total breakdown of law and order and bring to an end, the relative peace that has been enjoyed in the area for some years now.”

The TYO President went further to state: “The gentlemen of the press would recall that on the 24th of June 2024, there was an attack at Bakin Kotar, a community at the border between Keana LGA of Nasarawa State and Guma LGA of Benue State. Some Alago persons were said to have been attacked in their farm. Numerous media organizations provided thorough and timely coverage of this reprehensible incident, bringing attention to the severity of the situation.

“It is sad to report that, rather than abate, the incident spilled into Keana town and more lives were lost. In what was apparently a reprisal, innocent, law-abiding Tiv persons in Keana were attacked by persons suspected to be Alago. At the last count, at least four persons lost their lives in this attack. The corses are still at the mortuary to this moment and two of the bodies are yet to be identified.”

Siting similar incidences in Adaga and Obosidoma communities on Tuesday 16th and Saturday 20th July 2024 respectively, where valuable properties belonging to the Tiv indigenes were destroyed or carted away with, Comrade Isaiah Audu expressed worry that the government has not done enough to discourage the recurring attacks.

While calling on the Tiv people in the affected areas to remain peaceful and law-abiding even in the face of provocations, he urged the relevant authorities to swing into action to end the crisis and compensate those who have lost loved ones or properties.