By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has concluded a two-day on-the-ground assessment visit to Benue State, where he reassured communities of the Armed Forces’ commitment to halting the bloodshed and restoring peace to the troubled region.
The CDS was received by the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General MK Gara, alongside other top operational commanders in the North Central region. His visit came in the wake of renewed attacks, including the recent assault on Yelwata community, which resulted in the tragic loss of lives and destruction of properties.
General Musa, accompanied by the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, held an interactive session with community members, traditional rulers, and religious leaders at the affected site. The visit was aimed at fostering dialogue, reassuring residents, and reinforcing the military’s presence and responsiveness in the face of these relentless assaults.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, General Musa was quoted as describing the killings as “senseless and uncalled for.” While commiserating with the Yelwata community over the devastating incident, the CDS called for united action between citizens and security forces to decisively root out the criminal elements behind the attacks. “We must all agree this must stop,” he declared firmly, stressing that restoring peace must be a collective resolve. “Enough is enough. We cannot allow this madness to continue.”
Echoing this resolve, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, vowed that security agencies will not rest until justice is served. He assured the community that the perpetrators of the violence would be relentlessly pursued and held accountable. “We are committed to restoring peace and ensuring that no community lives in fear,” he said, underscoring the need for public cooperation with law enforcement.
Governor Alia, visibly distressed by the suffering of his people, lamented the persistent and needless bloodshed in Benue. He, however, expressed hope that the timely intervention by the Armed Forces and Police would reignite the people’s belief in governance and the nation’s security apparatus. “This visible and swift response gives my people hope, the hope to continue living,” he said.
On the second day of his visit, General Musa convened a town hall meeting that brought together key stakeholders from across Benue’s three geopolitical zones. The meeting included first-class traditional rulers, youth leaders, and influential personalities in the state. The Defence Chief appealed for their cooperation in bridging trust deficits and helping the military restore confidence in state institutions. “Your role as community leaders is crucial,” he emphasized. “Let us unite and rebuild trust. Together, we can bring lasting peace.”
During the visit, General Musa also received detailed operational briefings from commanders under Operation Whirl Stroke at the 401 Special Forces Brigade Headquarters. He issued clear directives that the Armed Forces must intensify their efforts in protecting lives and property while working closely with local communities to find sustainable solutions to the state’s security challenges.
The assessment tour underlined the seriousness with which the Defence Headquarters views the security situation in Benue and reaffirmed the Nigerian Armed Forces’ resolve to protect law-abiding citizens from the scourge of violence and displacement.
