Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has emphasized the urgent need for the Benue State Government to take decisive action by convening all relevant stakeholders to resolve the ongoing conflict within the region. Speaking during an exclusive interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday, General Musa shed light on the underlying issues fueling the prolonged unrest in Benue, pointing out that the widely believed land grabbing crisis is largely political. According to the CDS, residents of Benue State maintain a persistent belief that their lands are being unlawfully seized due to recurring attacks over the years. This perception, he explained, has intensified community tension and mistrust. Perception of Land Seizure and Security Concerns General Musa stated: “In my assessment, three critical issues stand out. First, the people genuinely believe that land is being taken from them. This perception has developed over time due to repeated attacks in various communities.” He further mentioned that security operatives often patrol deserted areas, which locals are too afraid to inhabit for fear of further attacks. Yet, there are no visible foreign invaders occupying these lands. Conflict Caused by Stray Livestock The CDS also pointed to the recurring problem of livestock, particularly cattle, trespassing into farmlands in Benue—a state known for its fertile terrain. “Animals wander into these lush farmlands, and this creates serious disputes. When such animals are seized or killed, it escalates the tension further,” he said. He added that preventing these animals from roaming or being harmed could significantly reduce confrontations between farmers and herders. A Call for Political Intervention and Unity General Musa stressed that the land dispute is politically influenced, and that genuine peace will only be achieved if the Benue State Government plays a more active role by organizing dialogue among all involved groups. “The government must step in. All parties must sit together and find common ground. Once there’s consensus, any future disruptions can be classified as criminal acts and dealt with accordingly. This approach will help us attain peace.”
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has hit back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urging him to “stop grabbing people’s land” and distributing it to his allies. Adeyanju’s comments came after a war of words between the two, sparked by the demolition of a community by the FCT Joint Task Force, which left thousands of Abuja residents homeless. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Adeyanju responded to Wike’s previous remark, where the minister had referred to him as “a jobless man” for leading protests against the demolitions. Adeyanju defended his actions, saying his only “crime” was speaking out against Wike’s actions, adding that the minister appears to have a deep disdain for constructive criticism. He vowed to continue criticizing Wike whenever he engages in unlawful or harmful behavior, particularly regarding his policies in the FCT, which Adeyanju accused of favoring wealthy cronies while displacing poor residents. Adeyanju further criticized Wike for admitting that he was giving land seized from poor communities to his friends, arguing that such behavior exposes the corruption in Nigeria’s leadership. Adeyanju also recalled his past interactions with Wike, dismissing claims that he had begged the former Rivers State governor to support his bid for a leadership role in the PDP. He clarified that while he did meet with Wike and other party leaders when he was still active in politics, he had resigned from politics eight years ago, and had faced harassment, imprisonment, and physical attacks since then. Despite their disagreements, Adeyanju revealed that Wike had previously expressed support for his political ambitions, contrary to Wike’s recent claims. He also pointed out that his consultation with party leaders wasn’t about begging, but rather about garnering support for his candidacy. Addressing Wike’s accusations, Adeyanju explained that his opposition to Wike’s policies, such as the controversial inclusion of figures like Ali Modu-Sheriff and Jimmy Agbaje in the PDP, led to Wike turning against him. He described Wike’s personal attacks as “selfish” and “vindictive.” Adeyanju also criticized Wike for his authoritarian attitude and his penchant for turning public spaces into properties for his personal gain. On the issue of his profession, Adeyanju proudly noted that his law firm employs over 25 people, dismissing Wike’s claim that he was “jobless.” He contrasted his career success with Wike’s, accusing the minister of using his position to loot public resources rather than contribute meaningfully to society. He further condemned Wike’s actions, including land grabs in the FCT, converting public parks into private residences, and his reluctance to tolerate any form of opposition. “I have never been a public official or political appointee,” Adeyanju emphasized, proudly identifying as a lawyer and businessman. He criticized Wike for having no “second address,” implying that his entire identity revolves around his public office and the corruption associated with it. Adeyanju concluded that Wike has a “god complex” and doesn’t tolerate being challenged, even though Adeyanju claims to have proof of all his accusations. READ ALSO: Price of Locally Produced Rice Expected to Surge by 55% in 2025
