- Says it’s genocidal
From MURPHY GANAGANA, Jos
In this interview, Dr. Daniel Bo, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, speaks on the recent attacks on Tiv communities and the way forward. Excerpts:
What is the root of the herders’ attacks in Benue?
When you look at trends, when the renewed attacks started, it was obvious where we were headed. Let me take you back a little, during the religious attacks when Othman Dan Fodio wanted to take over this landscape, there was resistance in Benue. And so, there is a narrative that that agenda is not dead. Another narrative is that if you look at the far North, it has virtually become desert, why? Because we have failed to manage our climate, and therefore, we’ve engaged in traditional grazing to a level where it has compromised our environment. Therefore, the predominant cattle rearing population think they have to move southwards where there is fresh grass for the cattle to feed.
Again, don’t forget that in our development as a nation, we made a Constitution that contained some provisions that we’ve refused to review overtime, even though times have changed. In the 1960s when we had our independence up to the 1970s and the 80s, the population of Nigeria was at a certain level; today, it has tripled. And so naturally, we expect that areas that were designated for certain things may not necessarily be conducive for such purposes because population has exploded and anybody making an argument that lies on the foundation that was built in the 1960s and 70s, is being unfair to himself and his country. Therefore, the argument on grazing reserves and grazing routes is untenable and that is why today, we are talking of ranching as a long term option. Everybody including the President of this country, ministers and people who own and rear cattle should know that ranching is the ultimate. Europe and America are not foolish and we are take cue from them; why are we refusing to take cue from them on a fundamental issue that is threatening our lives, compromising our security and endangering lives and the unity of this country?
With the latest attacks, what is on the minds of the Benue people, particularly the Tiv? Are they preparing for war?
The Benue person and perhaps, the Tiv man feels he has been treated like a leper; he feels the Federal Government has abandoned him, he feels the Government of Nigeria left him to his own problems, not his problems per se, but the failures of the country. So, the Tiv man has become a victim. If we had in the past managed our environment well, we would have contained some of these things because the North would still have had green environment. But I ask: if you come and take over Benue and graze to the desert, then move to the down south and graze to a desert, where will you move to? The ocean? The thing on the mind of an average Tiv man is that government has abandoned him despite the sacrifices made to this country. Therefore, he is only waiting for when his life would be taken away by those who have the power to do so. But would that be the option? I think naturally, anybody who is threatened would want to see how he would resist, sustain and protect his life.
Are you saying the Tiv should fight back, go to war?
They should protect themselves. When you say fighting back, it means going to war; when you sit and people attack you and you protect yourself, it’s different from going to war, and I think that is what the Tiv man should do.
With the incessant attacks, why have the Tiv not been on guard?
These attacks are sporadic; they are like a guerilla war. As you know, the Tiv people are farmers and they must go to farm to feed themselves, pay school fees and pay hospital bills and other expenses. Therefore, they cannot be on a 24-hour guard to expect an attack anytime. And don’t forget that from reports, we hear some of them are even hired from other countries when they want to carry out an attack. That is why the only time it could be contained is when the Federal Government takes this as a serious problem threatening the unity of this country. They say they’ve bought helicopters, what are they using them for?
Why do you feel President Buhari has abandoned the Tiv people? Why has he left them helpless?
Nobody can for sure, say why the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will abandon any part of the country. And I wouldn’t say he has abandoned them; I would say he has not taken the right decisions and actions. If he had done so, more so, that globally, herdsmen problem is rated the fourth most dangerous, no country would treat a group like that with kid gloves.
Do you have hope of an end to this problem in the near future?
With the attitude of the Federal Government, there is no hope in sight. You cannot be doing the same thing and expect a different result, and as long as the Federal Government keeps quiet while there are attacks like these, I don’t hope of an end, except there is a change in policies and strategies.
With no hope in sight, what is the way forward for the Tiv?
They have to prepare and get ready to repel attacks when they come. Nowhere in the world would anybody suggest anything different. I don’t think anybody in the world would just say No, stay there, let them come and slaughter you. Nobody would do that; and so I can’t say it. I can’t ask a Tiv man to just be sleeping in his house until he is slaughtered. Or are we saying they should go and sleep on trees so that when they come they might not see them? That is impossible.
Would you describe the perennial attacks as genocidal?
Yes, there are definite things we should understand. Look at the level at which people are killed and how consistent they are; it is worrisome not to think it could lead into issues of genocide. If mustn’t be killing at a go; but if the killing is persistent and systematic as it is, then, it amounts to genocide. When you put the figures together, it amounts to genocide because the target is to a particular group, a particular tribe and the attacks are consistent the killings are going on. So every end that genocide exists to achieve is in focus. And therefore, I cannot for any good reason say this is not genocidal in approach and in action. The effect of what is happening should be seen beyond the ordinary attacks that we see; I think it is strategic.