The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has identified three major factors he believes are responsible for the persistent violent attacks and insecurity in Benue State.
Speaking during a strategic meeting with traditional rulers held in Makurdi, the state capital, on Monday, June 17, General Musa outlined his personal observations regarding the root causes of the conflict.
According to the Defence Chief, the first and most pressing issue is land ownership disputes. He explained that the tension between indigenes and non-indigenes over land rights is largely a political matter that needs to be addressed through political engagement and resolution. “This issue of land — indigene versus non-indigene — is political in nature. It requires a political solution. It is not something the military can resolve,” he stated.
The second major issue, he noted, revolves around the movement of livestock, particularly cattle. General Musa criticized the commonly used term “farmers-herders clash,” describing it as a mischaracterization. He argued that a “clash” suggests mutual aggression between two parties, whereas what often occurs is that livestock enter and destroy farmland, which amounts to a trespass rather than a conflict. “If a farm is stationary and animals stray into it, that is not a clash. It is a clear case of intrusion — an animal entering someone’s property,” he explained.
The third problem he highlighted is the increasing incidence of cattle rustling. He pointed out that the unauthorized movement of livestock across communities makes it easier for criminals to steal them, which in turn fuels tension and violence.
“If we can prevent the movement of animals, we can reduce cases of rustling and, by extension, many of these violent encounters,” he added.
General Musa emphasized that while the military can step in to stop active violence and prevent communities from attacking one another, the long-term resolution of these issues lies in the hands of political leaders.
“We, in the military, can only intervene to stop violence. But the core issues — land rights, political identity, and animal management — require political will and solutions,” he said.
