Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has disclosed three basic issues he perceived to be resulting in killings in Benue State.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports General Musa made the disclosure on Tuesday during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
This is following renewed attacks in the State that have left scores dead, thousands displaced and many others severely injured.
“From my own view of what I have observed, there are three basic things. First is the issue of land, which can be sorted politically. The second is the issue of the movement of animals.
“I have told people over time that when they say farmers-herders clash, clash means two things are moving. But if a farm is standing and animals come in, that is not a clash. It is somebody entering into somebody’s property.
“So, we must find solutions. If the animals don’t move, we don’t have issues. And because of that, we have the issue of rustling of animals.
“Which means if we don’t rustle animals that are moving, there won’t be most of these problems happening.
“Those are the three critical aspects that we must be able to address clearly. And most of it is political solution that needs to come in.
“Because this is not what the military can stop. What the military can stop is try and stop people from attacking each other,” CDS Musa said.
JTF vows to restore peace in Benue
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (JTF-OPWS) has promised to restore peace in all troubled communities in Benue.
Maj. Gen Moses Gara, Commander, JTF-OPWS, made the promise in a statement of Tuesday, signed by Lt. Ahmad Zubairu,
Acting Media Operation Officer, Headquarters, JTF-OPWS and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
Zubairu quoted Gara as making the promise during his operational tour across key theatres of Operation Whirl Stroke in the state.
The commander charged the troops under his command to maintain high level of confidence, stay vigilant, and adhered strictly to professional standards.
He said that the task force was presently utilising both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches aimed at neutralising criminal elements destabilising the state and its environs.
He emphasised the need for unwavering commitment, resilience, and discipline in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-banditry operations.
He also reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would not relent until peace and normalcy were fully restored in the region.
Gara vowed that all perpetrators of violence and insecurity would be identified, isolated, and brought to justice in accordance with extant laws and military justice procedures.
”The era of impunity is over. We are here to reassure our people that the military remains committed to safeguarding lives and property, and that no criminal will go unpunished,” he said.
He used the opportunity of the tour to assess troop morale, operational readiness, and logistics posture of the units.
He also interacted with field commanders to review real-time intelligence and ongoing clearance operations targeted at flushing out armed militias, bandits, and other non-state actors.
Places visited by the commander during the tour include Naka, Gwer West, Otukpo, Agatu and APA Local Government Area of the state.