The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to collaborate closely with traditional rulers in restoring peace and stability in Benue State and beyond.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with top traditional leaders at the Government House in Makurdi on Thursday, General Musa noted that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through military action alone without grassroots support and community involvement.
The high-level engagement brought together key monarchs including the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Professor James Ortese Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Dr. John Eliagwu, alongside other first and third-class chiefs from across the state.
General Musa described the meeting as a vital step toward building unity, trust, and sincerity among all stakeholders.
He emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ending the cycle of violence in Benue and other conflict-prone areas.
Issuing a strong directive to troops stationed in the state, the Defence Chief urged them to decisively confront all criminal elements threatening peace—whether internal or external.
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He stressed that the military’s presence is not for observation, but for action against bandits and other armed threats.
Highlighting progress, General Musa cited the safe return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to areas like Yelewata as a key benchmark for success, assuring residents that the area is now secure with increased troop deployment.
In separate remarks, traditional rulers backed the military’s renewed efforts. The Tor Tiv, Professor Ayatse, warned that criminals must face justice, urging security agencies to act without fear or favoritism.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Och’Idoma, Dr. Eliagwu, reiterated Benue’s status as a peace-loving state and called on armed herdsmen to vacate the region.
He maintained that only law-abiding herders should be allowed to remain, to enable farmers return to their lands ahead of the planting season.