The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said that some individuals in Benue State provided shelter, food, and even women to the armed assailants responsible for the recent deadly attack on Yelwata community, which claimed dozens of lives.
During a high-level media briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, General Musa said the attackers were also aided by local informants who revealed the exact location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yelwata, contributing to the high death toll.
He explained that troops had earlier received intelligence on planned attacks across several communities in the state and were deployed accordingly.
However, the information proved to be a diversion, as the actual assault took place in Yelwata using a swift hit-and-run strategy.
Musa said, “These criminals were accommodated by people in the community.
“They were given food, they were even given women, and guided on where the IDP camp was located.
“Yet, security forces received no tip-off.”
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu has now ordered the full mobilization of Nigeria’s security forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and intelligence agencies, to apprehend those behind the killings and ensure justice is served.
“This is why we constantly appeal to communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. Security is a collective duty,” the CDS added.
General Musa further called on the Federal Government to urgently address Nigeria’s porous borders, warning that they remain a major security risk. He cited the influx of arms and fighters from conflict-ridden nations like Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic, which have exacerbated insecurity across the Sahel.
He urged Nigeria to study Pakistan’s approach to border security, highlighting its construction of a fortified double-layer wall along its border with Afghanistan as a possible model.
The CDS expressed condolences to the victims of the Yelwata massacre and other conflict-affected communities, reaffirming the military’s commitment to restoring peace.
“These killings are heartbreaking. We are fully committed to tracking down those responsible and bringing lasting peace to all corners of Nigeria,” he said, emphasizing the need for a “Whole-of-Society” strategy that fosters cooperation between the military, civil institutions, and citizens.
