The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that individuals within Benue State aided the armed criminals responsible for the gruesome massacre in Yelwata community by offering them shelter, food, and even women.

Speaking during an expanded media briefing at Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, General Musa disclosed that community informants also pointed the attackers to the location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, resulting in the high number of casualties.

“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,” Musa stated.

The CDS expressed concern over the misleading intelligence initially received, which diverted troops from the actual target area. He described the attack on Yelwata as a hit-and-run assault and emphasized the urgency of community collaboration in tackling insecurity.

General Musa confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has directed the full activation of national security assets—including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and intelligence agencies—to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure justice.

He also warned about the threat of porous borders, which he said are allowing armed elements from conflict-ridden nations like Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic to infiltrate Nigeria. He urged the government to take decisive action, citing Pakistan’s successful border control strategy as a possible model.

Musa extended condolences to the victims and pledged the military’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigerians. He reiterated that addressing the country’s security crisis requires a “whole-of-society” approach involving the military, civilians, and other stakeholders.

At the same event, Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, gave an update on the military’s operations across the country in the last two years. Highlights include:

  • 6,260 terrorists and criminals neutralized
  • 14,138 suspects arrested
  • 5,365 civilians rescued

Regional Security Stats:

  • Niger Delta: ₦83bn worth of stolen crude recovered; 103 criminals killed; 2,760 arrested
  • North-East: 1,246 terrorists killed; 2,467 arrested; 1,920 civilians rescued
  • North-West: 1,374 bandits killed; 2,160 arrested; 3,288 hostages rescued
  • North-Central: 730 terrorists killed; 7,153 arrested; 1,510 rescued
  • South-East (Operation Udoka): 440 terrorists killed; 1,677 arrested
  • South-West: 80 criminals killed; 1,763 arrested; 89 kidnap victims rescued

Thousands of weapons, rounds of ammunition, and assault rifles were also recovered.

Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, described the engagement as part of a people-centric strategy by the Armed Forces. “Our Armed Forces are not just fighters, but protectors and partners in national progress,” he said.

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