ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has alleged that armed criminals who carried out the recent massacre in Yelewata community, Benue State, were provided shelter, food, and even women by local residents — a revelation that has shocked many amid ongoing violence in the region.
Speaking at a media briefing at Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, June 19, 2025, General Musa disclosed that informants within the community not only supported the assailants but also guided them to the location of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, contributing to the high death toll in the attack.
“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,” the Defence Chief said.
At least dozens were reported killed in the hit-and-run assault on Yelewata, with the full casualty figures yet to be officially confirmed.
General Musa noted that security agencies had received intelligence on potential attacks and had deployed troops to various parts of the state.
However, the information turned out to be misleading.
By the time forces reached the identified areas, the assailants had already struck Yelwata.
He condemned the complicity of individuals in aiding the attackers and urged citizens to take responsibility for communal safety.
“This is why we consistently urge communities to be vigilant and report suspicious activities. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
General Musa stated that President Bola Tinubu has directed the full deployment of the nation’s security architecture — including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and intelligence agencies — to hunt down those responsible for the killings.
During the briefing, the Defence Chief also called on the Federal Government to prioritise the fortification of Nigeria’s porous borders, particularly in light of increased arms trafficking and cross-border threats from the Sahel.
He warned that criminal elements were flowing in from war-torn countries such as Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic.
He cited Pakistan as an example of a country that had successfully fortified its border with Afghanistan through a double-layer wall system, suggesting that Nigeria explore a similar model.
“These senseless killings weigh heavily on our hearts. We remain fully committed to ensuring justice and restoring peace to every part of Nigeria,” he said, offering condolences to families affected by the Yelwata attack and other violence-ravaged areas across the country.
The Defence Chief further emphasised that national security must be approached through a “Whole-of-Society” framework, combining military operations with civilian and community cooperation.
Providing operational data, Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, reported significant recoveries made in the past two years, including thousands of rounds of ammunition and hundreds of assault rifles seized across different theatres of conflict.
Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, reinforced the message of transparency and public involvement.
“Our Armed Forces are not just fighters, but protectors and partners in national progress,” he said, noting that the media engagement aligns with General Musa’s “people-centric” military leadership vision.
