Disturbed by the spate of killings, the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, the Tivs, is currently pressing on the United Nations (UN) to declare it, and the entire Middle-Belt independent of Nigeria after the name, Republic of Takuruku, a country built on the foundation of the fear of God.
Tiv is the next popular ethnic group in Nigeria seeking secession from the country like the Sovereign State of Biafra in the South East, due to continuous massacre of its indigenes under the watch of the Federal Government and its security agencies.
Also, the regions are seeking pull out due to extensive ill treatment, sustained marginalisation of the regions, hostile government activities and its agencies, as well as lack of government presence in the regions, which have been visible for decades.
Only last month, the Middle-Belt region, especially Benue State, witnessed non resisted massacre of its farmers and natives, which left 73 persons dead and nothing was done about it, instead the vigilante group setup by the state Governor Samuel Ortom and passed by the State House to protect the lives and property of the people, was tagged ‘militia’ group by the Federal Government.
Just like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) championing the secession of Biafra for marginalisation, the Tivs lamented that the region is the most cheated in Nigeria despite being the fourth largest ethnic group in a nation of 250 tribes, which has contributed immensely to the development of the country.
According to the Leader of the Sovereign Republic of Takuruku Movement and President/founder of Awoken Gospel Culture International, Prophet Ortindi Torough Baka, the Republic of Takuruku, which they seek, is built on the foundation of the fear of God and will end the destruction of the region if achieved.
He noted that the massacre of his people by Fulani terrorists dated back to 1804, when Othman Dan Fodio declared Jihad against the people, saying it has become a routine thing, as there is carnage on Tiv nations – across Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.
Speaking on the reasons for the secession drive, he said: “Fulani have deceived Tiv’s neighbours like Jukun, Kuteb, Arago and other members of the Kwararafa confraternity to form allied to exterminate the Tiv and occupy their land yet government is not saying anything.
“One begins to wonder if the Tiv nation is not part of Nigeria as nobody cares about the heinous attacks on them by the Fulani marauders; killing children, pregnant women and unborn babies, the old; rape of wives and daughters as well as destruction of property.”
Titled: “Application for UN Declaration of Middle-Belt as Republic of Takuruku,” the group is soliciting the UN’s declaration and international community’ support for the Middle-Belt region as an independent country out of Nigeria.
According to the letter addressed to the Secretary-General, United Nations, New York, the secession of the Middle-Belt out of Nigeria has become imperative due to wholesome the above reasons.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has endorsed the new campaign for Takuruku Republic and commended Tiv leaders for boldly declaring their intention to exist in a sovereign nation state.
A statement signed by Comrade Emma Powerful for the separatist group said: “It is refreshing to see the good people of the Middle Belt rise up for once, to the challenge of realizing why the contraption created by British merchants cannot remain as one indivisible entity. Nigeria was not created by Nigerians; even the present 1999 Constitution was not drawn up or agreed to by Nigerians.”
The statement continued: “This bold move to liberate the Middle Belt, a region that played a pivotal role in the war against Biafra, when they fell into the web of deceit spurn by the caliphate against their Biafran brethren, is what we IPOB have been clamouring and fighting for since 1967 till date. Dividing Nigeria along ancient boundaries for the benefit of all, irrespective of tribe or religion, is the only solution to the myriad of problems bedevilling Nigeria today.”
The statement regretted that Southern Nigeria had not been blessed with visionary leadership at the height of the nationalist fervour in the late 1950s and noted that more intelligent nationalists in India recognized the unworkability of a modern Indian state with the ideologically irreconcilable Hindu and Muslims of Pakistan and Bangladesh. They decided to go their separate ways at independence but the not so educated nationalists in Nigeria still think oil and water can mix.
