The Commissioner of Police,
Nasarawa State Command,
Shendam Road,
Lafia,
Nasarawa State,
Sir,
PETITION AGAINST INVASION/ATTACK ON TSE-KPEV COMMUNITY (GIDAN JATAU) IN OBI LGA OF NASARAWA STATE BY ARMED ALAGO YOUTHS; DANIEL OSOGYA, USEINI ANYA AND OTHERS
The leadership of Tiv Development Association (TIDA), an umbrella body of the Tiv people of Nasarawa State, having been briefed by our members from Tse-Kpev (Gidan Jatau) about the unlawful invasion and attack of the community by some armed Alago youths mentioned above, wishes to formally lodge this complaint in that respect on their behalf.
In the early mornings of 30th and 31st May 2021, the Tiv farmers of the above mentioned community under Obi Chiefdom was invaded by some Alago youths from Obi town, who were armed with dangerous weapons. They mobilised three (3) tractors and upturned growing crops cultivated on the ancestral farmlands belonging to the Tiv farmers and matcheted one Augustine Igba and beat up an elderly man to coma, during the invasion.
The invaders also confiscated all domestic animals belonging to their victims with a threat to launch a deadly attack on the community. It took the intervention of some Fulani Herdsmen in the area, who prevented the said Alago armed youths from taking away the confiscated domestic animals.
Sir, the only offence of the affected farmers in that Community according to the invaders was that the Tiv people are not indegines of Nasarawa State and should go to Benue State where, according to them, every Tiv person belong.
But it may interest you to know that the Tiv farmers being referred to, as settlers by the attackers have lived in the area for about two hundred years. Historic background showed that the Tiv in that area are bonifide indegines of what is today called Obi Local Government, having lived there for the said number of years as can be testified by economic trees planted by their forefathers, among other evidences.
The Tiv Community of the state is worried that, while the State Government under Governor Abdullahi Sule and the Police Command under your leadership, with collaboration from other sister security agencies are working hard to maintain peace, law and order, some individuals are bent on sabotaging these efforts by engaging in acts that are rather worsening the insecurity situation confronting the southern part of the State.
Sir, as peace-loving and law abiding citizens of the State, we wish to alert your command, the Nasarawa State Government and other security agents over the looming communal clashes in that part of Obi Local Government Area. We appeal to your command to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book to serve as deterrent to others and in the interest of peace and justice.
We shall be willing to come forward with more details concerning our complaint to aid your investigation should we be called upon to do so.
Kindly accept the assurances of our highest regards in anticipation of your prompt response.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Comr. Peter Ahemba Mr Emmanuel Tseem
(TIDA President). (TIDA Sec Gen.)
Cc:
His Excellency,
Engr. Abdullahi Sule,
Executive Governor, Nasarawa State
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police,
Zone 4 headquarters, Makurdi,
Benue State
The Director,
State Security Service,
Nasarawa State Command
The Commandant,
Nig,erian Security and Civil Defence Corps,
Lafia,
Nasarawa State
The Deputy Commissioner of Police,
State Criminal Investigation Department,
Lafia
The Divisional Police Officer,
Obi Division,
Obi LGA,
Nasarawa State.
The Emir of Lafia/ Chairman,
Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs
The Osuko of Obi/Chairman,
Obi Local Government Traditional Council
Nasarawa Reporters 