YELEWATA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Monday, June 16, 2025, warned of possible insider collaboration aiding the deadly attacks in Benue State, following the massacre of at least 200 people over the weekend in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area.
General Musa, who visited the attack site to assess the situation and express solidarity with Governor Hyacinth Alia and affected communities, said security intelligence suggested that informants within local communities may have assisted the assailants.
“In my estimation, it is one killing too many,” the CDS said.
“We have observed that the way some of the burnings were carried out shows they were targeted. It indicates the presence of insiders compromising security efforts.”
The defence chief emphasised the need for community involvement in safeguarding the region and announced an imminent change in military strategy to better confront the escalating violence.
“We are going to change our strategies to look inwards. But we cannot do it alone. We need the communities to be part of this effort,” he said.
General Musa noted that consultations were already underway with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to restore trust and foster collaboration.
“There may be issues of trust and we are going to address them. We want this to be the last attack of this nature. We will go all out to ensure peace is restored,” he added.
The CDS also announced plans to visit Nasarawa State to enhance cross-border security coordination.
“We always receive information that these attackers are coming from across the borders. Wherever they are coming from, we will go after them. We must not wait for them to strike first,” he said.
In an appeal to the youth, General Musa urged them not to lose faith in the country’s future.
“This is our country. We can never give up our country for anything. And this madness must stop.”
The recent attack on Yelewata, which left scores dead and several homes destroyed, is one of the deadliest incidents in Benue State this year, deepening the region’s humanitarian and security crisis.
Reacting to the CDS’s visit, Chairman of Guma LGA, Maurice Orwough, expressed optimism.
“The visit of the Chief of Defence Staff gives our people in Guma LGA a sense of hope. It shows that the Nigerian government is genuinely concerned about the situation in Benue State,” Orwough said.
He added that the direct engagement would help restore confidence in federal authorities.
“The quick response from the authorities gives our people some confidence that the government is paying attention. It is a sign of hope for us.”
General Musa’s visit follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security chiefs to restore peace in the state, after weeks of deadly reprisals between farming communities and suspected armed herders.
