Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged stakeholders in Benue State to collaborate with the military to halt the renewed wave of killings in the agriculturally rich region.
Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi on Tuesday, General Musa stated, “The Armed Forces stand with you. We are deeply troubled by these incidents. For me, this is personal. I refuse to lead our Armed Forces while innocent citizens are being slaughtered.”
He continued, “We have brought peace to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other countries—so why not in our own nation? Let me assure you, no member of the Armed Forces will support wrongdoers. If we identify any culprits among us, we will prosecute them. But we need your support to succeed. Together, we must restore peace.”
General Musa cited the peace achieved in Zango Kataf, Kaduna State, as a result of collaboration with local stakeholders. He believes Benue can replicate that success.
“As someone from Zango Kataf, I understand the situation well. You all know the challenges we once faced there. But in the last two years, calm has returned. How? We encouraged dialogue. A divided house cannot stand. Only by uniting can we confront our common enemy,” he explained.
Addressing the recent wave of killings that has left scores dead, many displaced, and others wounded, General Musa ordered military commanders to pursue and apprehend the perpetrators.
“We must track them down. We must go after them,” he declared. “That is the order I’m giving my commanders. We’ve identified possible hideouts, and we will dislodge them before they strike again.”
President Bola Tinubu has also responded to the violence by planning a visit to Benue on Wednesday. Ahead of his trip, he dispatched key officials—including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, top intelligence chiefs, the National Security Adviser, and leaders of the National Assembly Defence Committees.
During the visit, Tinubu is expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders. His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this in a statement on Monday.
The President also extended his condolences to the people of Benue and those who lost loved ones in the attacks.