By Amos Aar
THE CHIEF of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed security agencies to arrest all individuals with illegal possession of arms in Benue State and warned that those found aiding or colluding with armed groups, including cattle rustlers, will be prosecuted.
General Mus also charged military officers to adhere to their core mandate of protecting citizens without conniving with terrorists.
The CDS gave the directive on Thursday during a peace advocacy meeting with traditional rulers including the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, John Odogbo, and other stakeholders at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi.
The meeting, the second of its kind, was part of ongoing consultations aimed at addressing insecurity in the state and facilitating the return of displaced persons to their communities.
Speaking with journalists after the closed-door session, the CDS reiterated the federal government’s commitment to restoring security in Benue. He referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit as evidence of political will to end the crisis.
“We have a challenge in Benue State, and I believe working together, we will find a solution. When we sit down and talk sincerely, bringing out all that is affecting us, we’ll be able to find the solution,” Kehe Hon, Information Officer, Government House, Makurdi quoted General Musa to have said in a statement.
The Defence Chief thanked the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma for their input and called for stronger cooperation between communities and security agencies. He urged traditional rulers to work with the military as stakeholders in peacebuilding.
Responding, the Tor Tiv acknowledged a gradual improvement in security since previous engagements and admitted that some locals had contributed to the conflict through cattle rustling. He assured the military of efforts to curb internal involvement and called for the arrest of criminal elements within the communities.
On his part, the Och’Idoma called for a distinction between peaceful Fulani residents and armed herders.
“We are not saying all Fulani should leave. The known, peaceful ones have been with us for years. We are asking only those carrying arms and causing destruction to leave,” he said, stressing the need for communities to return to farming and restore Benue’s place as the “Food Basket of the Nation.”
General Musa responded that certain actors, both local and external, were exploiting the crisis for political and economic benefit.
He said the military would no longer tolerate illegal arms possession, criminality, or conspiracies undermining security.
“Anybody bearing arms illegally will be arrested. If he threatens security forces, he will be neutralized. That is the mandate,” he declared.
Musa also cautioned troops against complacency and stressed their constitutional duty to protect civilians and maintain order. The outcome of the meeting, he said, would be reported to the President.
On the recent killings in Yelwata, General Musa confirmed the arrest of suspects and said their prosecution would begin without delay.
“We are committed to ending the era where crimes go unpunished. There will be no sacred persons,” he stated.
The CDS added that Yelwata had been secured with reinforcements deployed, and preparations were underway to facilitate the return of displaced persons to their communities.
He further noted that some Cameroonian refugees had contributed to local tensions, and efforts were ongoing to ensure their safe return to their home country.
“Our success will be measured when IDPs leave the camps and return home,” General Musa said.
All the stakeholders pledged more cooperation for peace and to create conditions for the safe resettlement of affected communities.
