In response to the recent spate of violent attacks and killings in Yelwata town, Benue State, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, paid a strategic visit to the state, where he met with key traditional rulers and elders to discuss practical solutions to the ongoing security crisis.
During the high-level engagement held today, General Musa reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to restore peace and stability in the region.
According to Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, the visit is part of broader efforts to engage community stakeholders and uncover the root causes of violence in Benue.
The interactive session brought together the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Professor James Ortese Tyozua Ayatse (who also chairs the Benue State Traditional Council), the Ochidoma, first- and second-class chiefs, and elders from various districts.
Participants held candid discussions about the causes of persistent attacks by suspected herdsmen and examined actionable, community-led solutions to address them.
General Musa stated that the meeting followed a presidential directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage the Benue Council of Elders and formulate both immediate and long-term strategies to end the conflict.
He noted that a recent security summit in Abuja involving Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Adviser was also aimed at creating a cohesive national response to the crisis.
Speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, the Tor Tiv praised the Defence Chief for his proactive leadership. However, he raised concerns about the continued exclusion of traditional rulers from governance structures, despite their pivotal role in fostering peace.
He highlighted cattle grazing on farmlands and the activities of armed herdsmen and bandits as primary drivers of displacement and insecurity, which have forced many communities into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
Various speakers, including members of the Defence Headquarters advisory team, military commanders, and local chiefs, advocated for cattle ranching as a sustainable alternative to the nomadic system. They urged the Federal Government to implement policies with fairness and impartiality and called for an end to the imposition of non-indigenous traditional rulers, which many said has escalated community tensions.
The traditional council appealed to the CDS to replicate the peace-building models he successfully executed in Southern Kaduna and emphasized the need for urgent federal intervention.
General Musa encouraged the royal fathers to remain vigilant and to assist in identifying individuals who may be collaborating with external aggressors.
He promised to convey the insights and recommendations from the meeting to the Presidency and assured continued military efforts toward a lasting peace.
