From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa has assured Benue people and Nigerians that the military will not rest on its oars in chasing out foreign invaders from the country.
Gen Musa who visited Yelwata on Monday to assess the level of destruction caused by last Saturday’s attack which claimed the lives of over 200 persons, decried over the high number of deaths and unwanton destruction of property, saying, ‘This is one killings too many’.
According to him, ‘there is the need to change strategy’, stressing that the army will take the battle to the criminal elements rather than wait for them to attack.
He regretted that there are betrayals within the army who volunteer information to the bandits, noting too, there is the issue of trust which they are working hard to restore.
Hear him, “The first thing is to come here and respond and commisserate with the governor of Benue State and the good people of the State
“This is one killings too many. From here am going to see my commanders. We need to change our strategy, look inward and see how we can address this. We can’t do it alone without the State. We need everybody to be part of it. You understand this before now even within us, we have betrayals who volunteer information.
“If you see the pattern of killings and slaughtering, it means there is an insider. As we were going round, it showed that the killing and burnings were targeted. I have discussed with the community and traditional rulers as well as clan heads for us to work in unity. There have been issue of trust but we are going to work on it.
“We are going to go out put measure in place. For us, this is going to be the last one that will happen, we are going to go all out to ensure that the system works. We have put measures in other places and it worked, here is not going to be different. I want to assure Nigerians not only Benue State that we are determined based on the mandate of Mr President to ensure that we restore peace and tranquilty.
“We need Nigerians to support us, we must work as a team. We always have information that these people come and cross borders wherever they are coming from, we are going to go after them and chase them. We must take the battle to them and not waiting for them to attack.
“For the youths do not give up this is our country we can’t give our country out for anything. And this madness must stop.
