CDS Musa Alleges Benue Villagers Sheltered Massacre Suspects

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The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has made a startling revelation, alleging that residents of Yelwata in Benue State harboured the perpetrators of a recent massacre that claimed the lives of over 100 people.

According to him, members of the community not only shielded the assailants but also provided them with food, accommodation, and even women.

“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 during an expanded media interaction held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, June 19.

He expressed dismay at the lack of cooperation from local residents, despite repeated calls for vigilance and community involvement in security matters. “This is why we consistently urge communities to be vigilant and report suspicious activities. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” he added firmly.

General Musa disclosed that troops had received earlier intelligence suggesting potential attacks in various parts of Benue State. In response, personnel were promptly deployed. However, the intelligence proved deceptive, as the real attack was executed in Yelwata using a hit-and-run strategy.

According to him, the attackers benefited from precise local guidance, which enabled them to target the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp effectively, leading to an alarmingly high number of casualties.

Following the gruesome attack, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, to condole with the victims and their families.

During his visit, the president directed all security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice. General Musa echoed this presidential directive, pledging the full activation of national security apparatus to ensure accountability and justice.

In the course of the briefing, General Musa also raised alarm over the growing security risks posed by Nigeria’s porous borders. He warned that criminal elements, including mercenaries and armed militants from conflict-ridden regions such as Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic, were infiltrating the country undetected. “These elements are exploiting Nigeria’s vast and unmonitored frontiers,” he said, describing the borders as a “growing threat” to national stability.

The Defence Chief stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen its border management systems, citing Pakistan as a successful model. He urged a “whole-of-society” approach to national security, one that fosters collaboration between the military, civil institutions, and the general public.

Providing a detailed update on the military’s ongoing nationwide operations, the Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, reported substantial achievements in the war against terrorism and criminality over the past two years.

He stated that: A total of 6,260 terrorists and criminals have been neutralized; 14,138 suspects have been apprehended; 5,365 civilians have been successfully rescued.

  • He gave a regional breakdown of military efforts as follows: Niger Delta: Recovery of stolen crude oil worth ₦83 billion, with 103 criminals killed and 2,760 suspects arrested.
  • North East: Neutralization of 1,246 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, 2,467 arrests, and 1,920 civilians rescued.
  • North West: 1,374 bandits killed, 2,160 suspects arrested, and 3,288 hostages rescued.
  • North Central: Elimination of 730 terrorists, 7,153 arrests, and 1,510 civilians rescued.
  • South East (Operation Udoka): 440 terrorists neutralized, and 1,677 suspects arrested.
  • South West: 80 criminals killed, 1,763 arrested, and 89 kidnap victims rescued.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to transparency and public accountability.

He noted that under General Musa’s leadership, the Armed Forces are being shaped into a “people-centric” institution, focused not only on combatting threats but also on engaging and empowering communities.

As the nation grapples with persistent security challenges, the Defence Headquarters continues to call on all citizens to actively support security agencies by sharing timely and credible information that could help avert further violence and save lives.

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