Recognizing that the battle for peace can not be won by kinetic means alone, the Chief of Army Staff made a strategic appeal to the conscience of the North Central region by engaging its foremost traditional rulers. At the palace of the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Lt Gen Shaibu called on traditional institutions to lend their immense moral authority to the fight against criminality.
“Security is a shared responsibility,” the COAS averred. “While the Armed Forces will continue to apply decisive force against enemies of the state, enduring stability can only be achieved when communities reject violence, refuse to shield criminals, and actively support lawful authority.” He urged the royal fathers to use their grassroots influence to shape public perception, promote peaceful messaging, and discourage any form of collaboration with criminal elements operating within their domains.
The Tor Tiv, in his response, commended the Nigerian Army for its sacrifices and the noticeable improvement in civil-military relations. However, he raised concerns over recurring attacks in border communities and called for more preventive security strategies. He emphasized the critical role traditional rulers play as early warning assets, noting that they often receive the first indicators of impending threats. “We are your eyes and ears on the ground,” the monarch stated, advocating for structured collaboration that integrates grassroots intelligence into operational planning to counter misinformation and build public trust. The Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo, also conveyed his goodwill and words of encouragement to the troops, reinforcing the unified front between traditional institutions and the military in the quest for lasting peace.
