Tiv people indigenous to Nasarawa, should be protected – Prof. Kucha

NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia

The leader of the Tiv Indigenes of Nasarawa State, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha has said the fact of the indigeneship of Tiv people in Nasarawa state is not in dispute. Relying on historical facts and documentation, he said the Tiv had occupied the land they hold now in Nasarawa since the pre-colonial era. Prof Kucha stated this in a press statement issued to debunk the issues raised by the Alago Ikwenyi Gbagyi Development Association in Abuja, which questioned the aboriginal status of the Tiv people in Nasarawa State.

“Indeed, His Royal Majesty, Prof James Iorzua Ortese Ayatse spoke during the President’s visit as the paramount ruler of the Tiv people worldwide with competent authority on the historical factors of territorial jurisdiction before a high-profile audience with the Nasarawa State governor, His Excellency, Engr. A.A Sule and revered Traditional Council under the leadership of Emir of Lafia, JSC Sidi Bage(rtd), in attendance. The Tor Tiv stated emphatically that the Tiv people of Nasarawa State are not settlers,” Kucha said, noting that by the 14th Century, the Tiv across boundaries already had a structured and centralized traditional leadership under the Tor Agbande. He added that the native leadership was consolidated in 1946 by the colonial masters, after the end of World War II.

The Tiv leader noted that his ethnic group is the largest in the Northcentral region. He said this informed decision to chosen a Tiv, Dr. J. S. Tarka in the First Republic, to represent the defunct United Middle Belt Congress, which paved way for agitation for emancipation by minority groups in Nigeria at that time.

“The Tiv recognition of proper placement for national political assignment clearly indicates their demographic strength as an asset for democratic rule,” he noted.

He accused the Alago group of being on a mission to dominate the Northcentral. “The Alago sociocultural organisation, Abuja Branch is an elite frontier of the organised Kwararafa oligarchy on a mission to dominate the Northcentral region”.

He therefore stressed the resolve of all Tiv people to defend themselves based on the historical inheritance without fail. He also called the security agencies to hold the Alago association responsible in event of attacks on Tiv indigenes of Nasarawa State and for attempts to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s effort at restoring peace and ending conflicts in the country.