The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Thursday, met with the Benue State Traditional Council and prominent elders in Makurdi, the state capital, as part of his ongoing peace and security engagement across the country.
The visit is aimed at strengthening civil-military relations and exploring local solutions to the persistent security challenges facing Benue communities.
During the meeting held at the Benue Peoples House, General Musa acknowledged the important role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace at the grassroots and called for closer collaboration between security agencies and traditional institutions.
He assured the elders of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and ending the spate of armed attacks in the state, especially in communities affected by banditry and herder-farmer conflicts.
In his response, the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, who spoke on behalf of the traditional council, commended the Defence Chief for recognizing the role of traditional rulers and visiting the state at a critical time.
He urged the military to step up its presence in rural communities and ensure that displaced persons can return safely to their ancestral homes.
The engagement is expected to lead to improved intelligence sharing and community-level support for ongoing military operations.
