The Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council of Chiefs and paramount ruler of Tiv nation, Tor Tiv Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula (Ochiviri IV) is dead.
This was confirmed by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom in the Government House, Makurdi on Tuesday.
The governor said he was still waiting for the official communication from the Tiv traditional council about the death of the traditional ruler.
He said the details of the death of the 71-year-old Tor Tiv will be made in a formal announcement later in the day.
Dr Torkula became the Tor Tiv on April 21, 1991.
Other prominent traditional rulers that have died this year include the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuwade; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II and Emir of Borgu, Sen. Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III.