Nigerian Defence Chief, Musa Accused Of Bias In Benue Massacre, Faces Fire Over Comment On Fulani Ranches, Illicit Arms

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, has come under heavy criticism over his recent public remarks advocating nationwide Fulani cattle ranches amid his silence on the mass killings in Benue State.

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) on Friday knocked the CDS, accusing him of bias, insensitivity, and complicity. 

Intersociety described Musa's comments on ranches as veiled endorsement of impunity and further islamisation of Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Board Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, Intersociety referenced a July 23, 2025 speech by General Musa where he said that the only effective way to end herders-farmers clashes and killings in Nigeria was to establish ranches.

The CDS had reportedly said, “In order to address insecurity, two things are basic. We must be able to control the movement of animals across the region. 

“In doing that, it is important we create ranches... Ranches will do a great deal in securing our control and will prevent the conflict between the Farmer-Herders clashes. 

“Secondly, we must learn to stop killing animals crossing into farms. What is done is you arrest the animals and compensations are made.”

The group said the remarks indirectly provided an answer to President Bola Tinubu’s “million-dollar question” during his June 18 visit to Benue where he asked, “Why have no arrests been made in Benue State?”

The president’s visit came days after over 260 unarmed residents were massacred in coordinated attacks in Yelwata, Benue State, on June 13–14. 

“By the CDS’s statement, his emergence as an avowed advocate of Fulani Ranching (RUGA) Settlements is a clear testament of the continued use of the ‘Thou Shall Not Touch Or Arrest My Fellow Fulani Tribesmen’ operational code,” the group said, alleging that such a doctrine originated under former President Muhammadu Buhari and has been “retained knowingly or unknowingly” by Tinubu.

Intersociety further alleged that the Nigerian government’s proposed N60 billion fund to incentivise states into establishing ranches is actually a cover for creating “New Fulani Communities” in Christian-majority regions.

The group claimed the plan is rooted in a 2015 military “counterinsurgency forest mapping” program that could be used to quarter “Jihadist Fulani herdsmen.”

“These ranches,” they said, “will be transformed into terror and jihadist attack hubs, equipped with Islamic schools, boreholes, access roads, mosques, and even military and police posts, all in Christian forest communities.”

The group also challenged General Musa’s separate claim that there are “500 million illicit arms in West Africa, and 40% (200 million) in Nigeria.” 

The group questioned the statistical credibility, saying it implied that there are more illegal weapons than people in West Africa.

“By logic, does it mean there are more illicit arms (500m) in the sub-region than the UN’s estimated population of 467 million? In Nigeria, with a UN estimate of 228 million, is there an illicit weapon for every citizen, including newborns?” the group asked.

Intersociety said that such unverified claims lacked scientific merit and raised concerns over national security data management under the CDS.

Intersociety alleged that 14 persons were killed on July 24 in Plateau State in an attack they described as a “celebration” of the CDS’s public stance.

“The jihadists went on rampage and attacked commuters and others in Bokkos, slaughtering at least 14 defenceless Christians,” the group said.

Intersociety urged both local and international actors to scrutinise the CDS’s role in handling sectarian conflicts and to reject what they called “military-sponsored Jihadist settlements.”