Benue Crisis: Defence Chief Vows to Hunt Killers as Tinubu Visits Today

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.