By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to restoring peace and stability in Benue State following recent deadly attacks in Yelwata.
In an official signed statement, the Director, Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau disclosed that the CDS made this known during a high-level engagement with traditional rulers and elders of the state held on Wednesday, 26 June 2025.
The meeting, which took place amid growing concerns over persistent violence allegedly perpetrated by suspected herdsmen, brought together key traditional leaders including the Tor Tiv, Ochidoma, first- and second-class chiefs, and elders from across the state’s three senatorial zones. The forum served as a platform for open and constructive dialogue on the root causes of the recurrent violence and the search for durable solutions.
In his opening address, General Musa explained that the visit followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage directly with the Benue Council of Elders. The goal, he said, was to understand both the immediate and structural causes of the crisis and to chart a strategic course of action. He noted that the security situation in Benue had also been discussed extensively at a recent high-level security meeting in Abuja, which involved all the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Adviser.
The Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ortese Tyozua Ayatse, lauded the Defence Chief for his responsive leadership and willingness to consult with local authorities. He, however, lamented what he described as the exclusion of traditional rulers from governance and decision-making processes, despite their central role in conflict prevention and community stability. He identified unchecked grazing by suspected herdsmen on farmlands as one of the key drivers of the violence, noting that such acts have displaced countless residents, many of whom now reside in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Various speakers at the meeting including local chiefs, military commanders, and members of an advisory team set up by the Defence Headquarters also made significant contributions. A recurring suggestion was the adoption of cattle ranching as a permanent and peaceful alternative to nomadic herding, which they said often triggers clashes between farmers and herders. The chiefs further urged the Federal Government to ensure impartiality in addressing the crisis, warning that perceived bias could further deepen grievances.
Another sensitive issue raised was the imposition of non-indigenous traditional rulers in some parts of the state, a development participants said was fueling communal tensions. They called on the Federal Government to revisit such appointments and encouraged General Musa to replicate the conflict resolution model he had successfully implemented in Southern Kaduna.
Speaking on behalf of all traditional rulers, the Tor Tiv issued a formal appeal to the Federal Government to take swift and decisive action to restore lasting peace across Benue State.
In response, the CDS acknowledged the vital role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and stability. He called on them to continue supporting the military by helping to identify collaborators and informants who might be aiding external aggressors. General Musa pledged to communicate the outcomes of the meeting to President Tinubu and assured the gathering of a sustained military presence and intervention until peace is fully restored.
The meeting concluded with a symbolic exchange of souvenirs between the CDS and the traditional leaders, group photographs, and a media briefing.
General Musa’s return to Benue and renewed assurance of action have been welcomed by many in the state as a strong signal of the Federal Government’s determination to bring an end to the protracted violence and insecurity plaguing the region.
