CDS Musa pledges military-traditional rulers’ collaboration for peace in Benue

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to partner with traditional rulers in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in Benue State and surrounding regions.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting held on Thursday at the Government House in Makurdi, General Musa stressed that achieving lasting peace requires more than military intervention—it demands the active participation and support of community leaders at all levels.

“Security is a collective responsibility,” the CDS noted. “Our traditional rulers play a critical role in promoting harmony and preventing conflicts within their domains.”

The high-level meeting brought together key royal figures including the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Professor James Ortese Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Dr. John Eliagwu. Other first-class and third-class chiefs from across the state also attended, making the gathering a significant step toward strengthening civil-military relations.

General Musa described the gathering as a crucial step in fostering truth, unity, and sincerity among stakeholders, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deeply committed to ending violence and restoring normalcy to Benue and other troubled regions. This meeting marks the second high-level engagement between the military and traditional rulers in recent weeks.

He issued a strong warning to military personnel stationed in Benue, directing them to take decisive action against all criminal elements, whether local or external. According to him, troops were deployed not to stand idle but to confront and eliminate threats posed by armed bandits and other criminals.

Highlighting the path to success, the Chief of Defence Staff pointed to the safe return of Internally Displaced Persons to their homes especially in conflict-prone areas like Yelewata, as the key indicator of progress. He assured residents that Yelewata is now secure, with more personnel deployed to ensure lasting safety.

In their separate remarks, traditional rulers threw their weight behind the military’s efforts. The Tor Tiv, Professor Ayatse, insisted that anyone involved in criminal activity must face the full force of the law, stressing that security agencies have the authority to act without bias.

Echoing this stance, the Och’Idoma, Dr. Eliagwu, reiterated Benue’s identity as a peace-loving state. He called on armed herdsmen to vacate the region, allowing farmers to return to their land in time for the planting and harvest seasons, adding that any herdsman wishing to remain in Benue must abide by the state’s laws.