₦airaland Forum

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has called for the training of trusted youths across Benue State to serve as vigilantes under military supervision to protect their communities from terrorist attacks.

Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi on Tuesday, the CDS said the approach, if successfully used in Borno State, would be replicated in Benue to tackle the unending wave of violence.

He warned community leaders to help identify and curb criminal elements within their domains, stressing that sabotage would not be tolerated.

“The military cannot do it alone. We need the full cooperation of the communities, their leaders, and the clergy. Some of the attacks clearly show insider knowledge, and that’s why we need a united front.

“We are tired of innocent souls being killed. We’re here to ensure it stops,” Musa declared.

Benue has been a hotbed of violence, with over 160 people killed in the past two months alone, with at least 59 residents killed last Friday in an overnight raid that displaced more than 3,000 people in the Yelewata area of the state.

commiserate with the people and donated ₦150 million to support internally displaced persons.


He also urged both states to work together to end the violence.

The growing death toll has sparked national outrage and even drawn global attention. Pope Leo XIV condemned the “terrible massacre,” while President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate action.

He directed Governor Alia to initiate peace talks and reconciliation efforts between farmers and herders and instructed service chiefs to end the violence without delay.

General Musa, alongside the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also visited the affected areas and asked field commanders to review their strategies and clamp down on attackers.

Aleister:
Welcome development..but what is the use of having police and military in the state?
They now want to sacrifice more of the youths to insecurity

kolamilan:
He should start with the youth in his family.. vigilante?

Chienex24:
They always want to use scape goats as sacrificial lamb while they feed fat on Nigerian money. Nonsense people!!

iwaeda:
Is this true or just a sensational headline. Everything is wrong with this country. Youth should mobilise to defend their homes.

tuoyoojo:
So the government we pay tax to is subcontracting security to civilians
If its to harass protesters and innocent citizens, their hand go strong

Omooba77:
https://punchng.com/benue-killings-cds-seeks-training-of-youths-as-vigilantes-to-combat-insecurity/

benuejosh:
This is a welcome ideal for peace but i have my reservation and my suggestions.

1. This same vigilantes will torment normal citizens as they will only show case their strength in the town and not villages where they are needed.

2. Empowering them with whatsoever tools meant to combat these bad elements without proper check will result to what we are currently facing in the Sankera area which consist of Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum.

3. Even in advance countries, arms control is giving them issue. Talk more of our country where literacy is by measure millions of miles away from our people.

4. Non-kinetic approach should be used in this crisis. All political leaders MUST be involved together with the traditional rulers and the militias operating in their areas of jurisdiction. And we MUST all agree to keep aside differences and join hand to foster unity.

5. The States of Benue, Nassarawa, Taraba, Kogi and Pleateu MUST be involved.

6. Be informed, that the crisis in Benue dates back as far as the 4th republic. Therefore i feel this crisis is more of generational than just herders-Farmers crisis.

Omooba77:
https://punchng.com/benue-killings-cds-seeks-training-of-youths-as-vigilantes-to-combat-insecurity/

Omooba77:
https://punchng.com/benue-killings-cds-seeks-training-of-youths-as-vigilantes-to-combat-insecurity/