Defense chief Musa calls for community self-protection to address Benue killings
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has announced a new initiative aimed at training local youths as vigilantes to strengthen community defense against rising terrorist attacks in Benue State.
This program, modeled after a similar effort in Borno State, seeks to engage credible youths under military supervision to help protect their communities.
At a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi, the state capital, General Musa urged local leaders to monitor criminal elements within their jurisdictions. “We need everybody to be part of it,” he emphasized, calling for a united front to ensure the safety and security of the region while asserting that any acts of sabotage would not be tolerated.
The urgency of this initiative comes amid a surge in violence, with over 160 residents reportedly killed in recent weeks due to attacks by suspected herdsmen.
In the latest incident in Yelewata, at least 59 people were killed, displacing over 3,000 individuals, raising alarm about the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule visited Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to extend condolences and pledged ₦150 million in support for internally displaced persons affected by the violence. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the two states to stem the tide of killings.
In a concerted effort to restore peace, President Bola Tinubu has instructed Governor Alia to facilitate reconciliation meetings among conflicting parties. “We’re tired of innocent souls being killed,” CDS Musa stated during a tour of affected areas, vowing to reassess military strategies to decisively confront the ongoing violence.
The situation has garnered national outrage and international attention, including condemnation from Pope Leo XIV, who referred to the attacks as a “terrible massacre.”
Musa reiterated the need for collaboration with community leaders, acknowledging previous insider information leaks that have compromised security efforts. “We have to change our strategy,” he noted, urging a collective approach to tackle the challenges effectively.
With the military’s commitment to adapting their strategies, there is hope for a more peaceful coexistence among farmers, herders, and local communities in Benue State moving forward.
Source: Channels TV
