Benue killings: We’ll end era where crimes go unpunished – CDS

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has expressed optimism over the determination of the Federal Government to end the era where crimes go unpunished.

General Musa who convened a high level peace advocacy meeting on Thursday with their Royal Majesties, the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ortese Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, John Odogbo, alongside other traditional leaders also in attendance, vowed to bring perpetrators of crimes involving insecurity in the country to justice.

The meeting followed the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a renewed effort to drive sustainable peace and security in Benue State.

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Tinubu during his visit to Benue State over the killings of more than 100 people at Yelwata community of Guma Local Government Area about two weeks ago, ordered the formation of a committee to work for the restoration of peace in the state.

General Musa while reacting on the recent attacks in Yelwata, confirmed the arrest of suspects, adding that prosecution will now follow, a development he said was long overdue.

“We are committed to ending the era where crimes go unpunished. There will be no sacred persons. Anyone involved in violence must face justice,” he said.

Sequel to the President Tinubu’s directive, the CDS attended the meeting held at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House Makurdi, marking the second in a series of engagements with royal fathers and community stakeholders.

General Musa while briefing journalists after a closed door session, stressed the sincerity of the federal government and military leadership in resolving the security challenges confronting Benue State.

He recalled previous consultations, including the recent visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of ongoing efforts to secure the state and ensure displaced citizens return to their communities.

“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,” he said.

The CDS expressed appreciation to the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma for their candid contributions and called for continued collaboration between the communities and security agencies.

He urged royal fathers to regard the military as partners and “sons” working towards peace in an area with shared history and struggles.

Responding to the CDS’s call, the Tor Tiv acknowledged improvements since the last engagement and expressed optimism that the renewed dialogue would help to permanently address the state’s security woes.

“Our people also have some roles in the conflict, including cattle rustling. We are taking responsibility and working to bring our people under control to prevent further clashes,” he said.

Tor Tiv therefore urged security forces to apprehend and prosecute any criminal elements within the traditional domain.

On his part, the Och’Idoma, emphasised the need to differentiate between peaceful Fulani residents and armed herders responsible for the mayhem in especially rural domains.

“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 terror, killing, raping, and destroying our farms to leave,” he explained.

The Och’doma added that the people of Benue must be able to return to their farms and feed the nation as the “Food Basket of the Nation.”

Reacting to the traditional rulers’ remarks, General Musa warned that certain individuals, both internal and external, were fueling the crisis for political or economic gains.

He warned that the military would not condone illegal arms possession or criminal activities, regardless of the perpetrators’ identity or affiliation.

“Anybody bearing arms illegally will be arrested. If he threatens security forces, he will be neutralized. That is the mandate,” the military chief asserted.

He added that the military is committed to replicating peace-building successes recorded in other troubled zones of the country.

General Musa further cautioned military personnel against complacency and reminded them of their constitutional duty to protect lives, their colleagues, and host communities as he disclosed that the outcome of the meeting would be relayed to the President for further action.

The CDS also disclosed that the affected Yelwata community has now been secured with additional forces deployed and that preparations are underway to facilitate the immediate return of IDPs to their communities.

While speaking on the issue of Cameroonian refugees residing in parts of the state, some of whom have reportedly contributed to local tensions, the CDS noted plans are ongoing to facilitate their return as well.

“The true measure of our success is when IDPs leave the camps and return home. That is our goal, and we are working hard to achieve it,” General Musa concluded.