Benue Massacre: CDS Alleges Local Complicity in Yelwata Attack

Abuja – The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has disclosed alarming details about the recent massacre in the Yelwata community, Benue State, where over 150 people were brutally killed. Speaking at a Defence Headquarters briefing on Wednesday, General Musa revealed that some residents of Benue State actively aided the gunmen responsible for the attack.

According to the CDS, the assailants were not only sheltered by locals but were also provided with food, women, and crucial intelligence that guided them directly to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp targeted in the raid. “These criminals were harboured by people in the community. They were given food. They were even given women. They were guided on where the IDP camp was located. Yet, security forces received no information,” General Musa stated.

The Chief of Defence Staff further explained that misleading information deliberately diverted security troops to other locations, enabling the attackers to execute a swift hit-and-run assault on Yelwata This tactic contributed to the high casualty rate and the devastating impact of the attack.

General Musa emphasized the critical role of community cooperation in combating insecurity, urging residents nationwide to remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activities. “Security is everyone’s responsibility,” he stressed.

In response to the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the full deployment of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and intelligence agencies to pursue the perpetrators relentlessly and ensure they face justice.

Highlighting broader security challenges, the CDS warned of porous borders that facilitate the influx of arms and fighters from conflict zones, including Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic. Drawing lessons from Pakistan’s double-layer border wall with Afghanistan, he called for innovative border security measures to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

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General Musa expressed heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and the Benue community, vowing the military’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace. “These senseless killings weigh heavily on our hearts. We remain fully committed to ensuring justice and restoring peace to every part of Nigeria,” he affirmed.

This revelation adds a complex dimension to the ongoing security crisis in Benue, a state long plagued by violent clashes between herders and farmers. Analysts warn that addressing local complicity and strengthening community trust in security agencies will be vital to preventing future atrocities.