Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has dismissed the widely used term “farmers-herders clash,” saying it misrepresents the real cause of violence in Benue State and other conflict-prone areas in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Musa clarified that what many call a clash is, in fact, a case of animals—mainly cattle—invading farms. He said that it was his own view.
“When you say ‘clash,’ it means two sides are actively engaging. But if a farm is static and animals invade it, that’s not a clash. That’s encroachment,” he explained.
General Musa outlined three major causes of the continued bloodshed: Land Disputes Between Indigenes and Settlers – A sensitive issue that he insists can only be solved through political dialogue and policy reform.
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Uncontrolled Movement of Cattle – He believes the roaming of animals across communities is at the heart of the violence. “If animals don’t move, we won’t have these problems,” Musa stressed.
Cattle Rustling – The theft of livestock, he said, often leads to reprisal attacks, further worsening insecurity.
He emphasized that these are not matters the military alone can solve. “Our job is to prevent people from attacking others, but we need political solutions to resolve the root causes.”
Musa’s comments come after the horrific massacre in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 residents were reportedly burnt alive in one of the deadliest attacks in recent memory. The incident has sparked national outrage and international condemnation.
The Defense Chief urged both state and federal governments to take decisive action and create lasting, community-based solutions, especially on issues of land rights and cattle grazing.
In response, activist and socialite VeryDarkMan has lambasted the Defense Chief for using the phrase ‘in my view’ as a military head. According to VDM, Gen. Musa is privy to information; hence, he shouldn’t be talking based on his view but intelligence. VDM criticized all the General’s three points and encouraged Benue youths and Nigerians at large to stop waiting for the government and start defending themselves.
