Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has made a shocking announcement that the residents of Yelwata, a Benue community recently ravaged by mass killings, assisted the attackers by offering them shelter, food, and even women.
General Musa revealed this information during an extensive media briefing conducted at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, where he discussed recent updates regarding national security and the status of civil-military relations.
The Defence Chief stated that the horrific assault—which resulted in the loss of over 100 lives—was executed using a “hit-and-run strategy” after security forces were misled by inaccurate intelligence indicating threats in other areas of the state.
“These criminals were sheltered by individuals in the community. They were provided with food. They were even given women. They were directed on the location of the IDP camp. However, security forces received no alerts,” he remarked. “This is why we continually urge communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Security is a collective responsibility.”
During his condolence visit to Benue on Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the massacre in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, are apprehended and prosecuted.
General Musa confirmed that the president’s directive is being prioritized with the highest urgency. “The President has mandated the complete mobilization of national security forces. The offenders will be located and held accountable,” he promised.
He also cautioned about the growing threat posed by Nigeria’s unprotected borders, particularly in light of the escalating conflicts in the Sahel region.
