Makurdi, Nigeria — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has issued a strong commitment to pursue and eliminate those responsible for the escalating violence in Benue State, calling for unity among stakeholders to confront the crisis head-on. Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi on Tuesday, General Musa condemned the wave of killings that has claimed hundreds of lives in recent weeks and assured residents of the military’s full support in restoring peace. “The Armed Forces are with you. We are pained about what’s happening. For me, it’s personal. I don’t want to be the Chief of Defence when people are being killed. No,” Musa declared. He expressed frustration that while Nigeria had helped restore peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone, it continued to grapple with internal insecurity. General Musa urged traditional rulers and community leaders to actively cooperate with security agencies, stressing that without collective unity and intelligence sharing, efforts to defeat the assailants would be undermined. “We can’t do this alone. We need your support to identify those behind the attacks. This fight is not just for the military — it is for all Nigerians,” he said. President Tinubu Visits Today The Defence Chief’s statement comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to arrive in Benue State today, in what is seen as a significant move to assess the security situation and show solidarity with victims of the ongoing attacks. The President’s visit follows calls for a national emergency over the Benue killings, with rights groups, religious leaders, and international observers urging immediate and sustained government action. Benue State has been at the epicenter of violent clashes involving suspected herdsmen and local communities, leading to widespread displacement, destruction of homes, and the loss of over 160 lives in recent months.

Makurdi, Nigeria – The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has endorsed the training of credible youths in Benue State as community vigilantes under military supervision to safeguard local communities against terrorist and herdsmen attacks. General Musa made this known on Tuesday during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising wave of violence that has plagued the state. The Defence Chief called on traditional leaders to play a proactive role by monitoring criminal elements within their communities, warning that acts of sabotage would not be tolerated. “We’re tired of innocent souls being killed. We’re here to ensure that we address this. I’ll be going to see my commanders — we have to change our strategy,” Musa said. He emphasized that a successful security operation would require the collaboration of the military, state authorities, traditional institutions, and the local population, stating that insider information had aided attackers in previous incidents. “Even before now, we used to have people within who compromise and give information. Some of the burnings were targeted, meaning there were insiders,” he added.

Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned the management of Air Peace Limited over mounting complaints from passengers alleging non-refund of ticket fares, even in cases where the airline cancelled scheduled flights. In a formal notice dated June 13, 2025, the FCCPC directed Air Peace officials to appear at its Abuja headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025, to address allegations of consumer rights violations and increasing public outrage. The summons, signed by FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, noted that the airline’s actions may violate Sections 130(1)(a), 130(1)(b), and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, which guarantee passengers a timely refund when a service provider fails to fulfil a booking or reservation. “These actions potentially contravene provisions that enshrine the principle of fair dealing and safeguard consumers against unfair, unjust, or unreasonable practices,” Ijagwu said in a statement issued Monday in Abuja. The Commission has also demanded detailed documentation from Air Peace, including: The FCCPC stressed that the summons was issued under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, with Section 33(3) specifically mandating compliance. Failure to comply, it warned, could attract serious penalties, including fines or imprisonment. While not directly referenced in the FCCPC’s statement, the development follows a public spat involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Air Peace staff, after the lawmaker accused the airline of racketeering and extortion. Oshiomhole claimed he missed a scheduled flight after arriving on time, alleging that airline officials demanded N109,100 from stranded passengers — himself included — to reschedule them to a later flight. According to the senator, 20 to 30 passengers were affected and witnessed preferential treatment for late arrivals who allegedly paid extra. Air Peace denied the allegations, insisting that the senator arrived late and was never extorted. The FCCPC’s intervention signals an escalation in regulatory scrutiny of Nigeria’s aviation sector, as passenger dissatisfaction continues to mount over flight disruptions, poor communication, and lack of accountability by domestic airlines.