By Victor Akaa.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has assured the people of Benue State that the Armed Forces are committed to restoring peace and stability in the region.
The CDS gave the assurance during a meeting with the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council , headed by its Chairman , the Tor Tiv V, Professor James Iorzua Ayatse, Och’Idoma and other prominent traditional rulers and elders in Benue State on June 26, 2025.
According to the statement relayed to newsmen by the Director Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the meeting was held in response to recent attacks and killings in Yelwata town, Benue State, which have resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of people.
General Musa’s visit aimed to engage with the Benue Council of Elders and other stakeholders to identify the root causes of the crisis and propose effective measures to address them.
The statement noted that the meeting, which involved extensive interaction, brought together the Tor Tiv, Och’Idoma, first- and second-class chiefs, and elders from various zones of the state.
The forum provided an avenue for open dialogue on the root causes of the recurring attacks by suspected herdsmen, as well as the identification of actionable solutions.
In his opening remarks, General Musa explained that the meeting was in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage with the Benue Council of Chiefs and other critical stakeholders in the state to uncover both the immediate and underlying causes of the crisis and propose effective measures to address them.
He emphasised the gravity of the security challenges in the state and the need for collaborative solutions.
General Musa noted that a recent high-level security meeting in Abuja, involving the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Adviser, was part of efforts to address the situation comprehensively.
He urged the traditional rulers to continue playing their crucial role as custodians of peace and called for their support in identifying collaborators within their communities who may be aiding external aggressors.
In his remarks, the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Professor James Ortese Tyozua Ayatse, commended General Musa for his commitment and proactive engagement.
He lamented the marginalisation of traditional rulers in governance and decision-making processes, despite their strategic role in peacebuilding.
The Tor Tiv identified the activities of suspected herdsmen and bandits, especially the grazing of cattle on farmlands, as a major driver of insecurity, forcing locals to abandon ancestral homes for IDP camps.
He called on the government to act with fairness and impartiality in addressing the crisis.
The statement added that the meeting heard from the advisory team established by Defence Headquarters, local chiefs, and military commanders. They made valuable contributions and proposed practical solutions, including the adoption of cattle ranching as a sustainable alternative to the nomadic system, which they believe fuels conflict.
Enugu Reporters reports that there were some concerns raised regarding the imposition of non-indigenous traditional rulers, which some participants said contributes to tensions.
They urged the government to reconsider such practices and called on General Musa to replicate the peace restoration efforts he led in Southern Kaduna.
On behalf of the traditional rulers, the Tor Tiv made a formal appeal to the Federal Government to take decisive steps to bring lasting peace in Benue State.
Responding to this concern, General Musa pledged to relay the outcomes of the meeting to the Presidency and assured the royal fathers of sustained efforts towards finding lasting peace.
The CDS assured that the Federal Government would work towards finding a lasting solution to the security challenges in Benue State.
