HURIWA  backs CDS Musa, DSS DG on community self-defence to end Benue killings

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has declared its full support for the recent call by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, advocating community-led self-defence as a necessary solution to the persistent killings in Benue State.

HURIWA, in a statement on Tuesday, described the proposal as a realistic and people-driven strategy to mitigate the continuous mass killings, which have rendered several communities desolate and displaced thousands of innocent Nigerians.

The group said that the directive by the CDS for the training of credible youths across Benue to serve as community vigilantes under military supervision was not only timely but vital to complement the efforts of overstretched security operatives.

According to HURIWA, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the same model adopted in Borno State, where the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) helped in dislodging insurgents, should be replicated in Benue and other states experiencing similar existential threats.

General Musa, who addressed traditional rulers in Makurdi during his strategic visit to the state, emphasized the urgent need for communities to be part of the security architecture in their own domains. He insisted that the military could not win the war alone without the involvement of the people, particularly trusted community members who understand the terrain and can provide critical intelligence.

HURIWA recalled that the DSS Director-General had also advocated the same approach during a recent security lecture in Abuja. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi urged communities to become the first line of defense and encouraged citizens to take ownership of their own safety by actively supporting security efforts through vigilance and timely information. He referenced cases where villagers in Bauchi State successfully resisted bandits, and underscored the importance of community participation in ensuring safety and stability.

HURIWA noted that while government authorities have continued to respond belatedly to each wave of attacks in Benue, the attackers—mostly identified as armed herdsmen—have become more emboldened. The association lamented the senseless massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where no fewer than 100 persons were killed in a night raid, displacing over 3,000 residents. Within the last two months alone, over 160 persons have reportedly lost their lives in similar attacks across the state.

The rights group expressed concern that despite multiple presidential directives, military deployments, and high-profile visits to the state, there has been no sustained deterrence against the perpetrators. It said that empowering communities to take responsibility for their defense, within the framework of legality and human rights, could be the game-changing approach long overdue.

HURIWA also acknowledged the solidarity shown by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who visited Governor Alia to commiserate with the people of Benue and donated ₦150 million to support internally displaced persons. The group said such support from neighbouring states was commendable and should be accompanied by collaboration on border security and intelligence sharing.

The group urged the Federal Government to formalize the CDS’s recommendation by swiftly developing a legal and operational framework that allows for the establishment and regulation of community defense outfits under military or police oversight. It stressed that this structure must prioritize discipline, intelligence gathering, and respect for human rights, while also maintaining accountability to civil authorities.

“HURIWA believes that the idea of community-based security is not new, and that its successful implementation in other conflict-prone parts of the country is evidence that it can work in Benue if properly coordinated. It advised the federal and state governments to begin immediate consultations with traditional institutions, religious leaders, and community development associations to identify, vet, and train youths who will serve their communities loyally and professionally.

“The association reiterated its call for the Federal Government to act with urgency and avoid the repetition of empty condemnations while innocent citizens are slaughtered in their sleep. It emphasized that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to life and security, and that the government’s primary responsibility is to safeguard this right,” the statement said.

HURIWA further urged civil society organisations and humanitarian partners to support displaced communities with food, shelter, and psychosocial services, while the government develops long-term resettlement and rehabilitation plans. It concluded by reaffirming its support for all lawful, community-driven solutions to the worsening insecurity in Benue and across the country.