₦airaland Forum

…Says hit-and-run tactics foiled military interception in Yelwata

…All security forces activated to apprehend killers, acting on Tinubu’s directive

…Warns of dangers from porous borders, calls for urgent government action

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Thursday made a startling revelation that some individuals within Benue State provided accommodation, food, and even women to armed criminals who carried out the recent deadly attack on Yelwata community that left dozens dead.

Speaking at an expanded media interaction at Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the CDS said local informants also helped the attackers identify the location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yelwata, resulting in the high casualty figure recorded in the massacre.

General Musa disclosed that troops had received intelligence about potential attacks in various communities across the state and were mobilized accordingly. However, upon arrival at the initially mentioned locations, it turned out the information was misleading, as the real attack had already been executed in Yelwata using a hit-and-run approach.

[b]“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,” [/b]the CDS lamented.

He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has directed the full activation of all national security forces — Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and intelligence agencies — to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“This is why we consistently urge communities to be vigilant and report suspicious activities. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” he stated.

General Musa used the occasion to urge the Federal Government to urgently address the issue of Nigeria’s porous borders, [/b]which he described as a growing threat amid rising instability in the Sahel region. [b]He cited the flow of arms and fighters from crisis-hit countries like Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic, warning that these elements are exploiting Nigeria’s vast and unmonitored frontiers.


He proposed learning from countries like Pakistan, which successfully built a fortified double-layer border wall to separate itself from Afghanistan.

The CDS offered heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by the attacks, especially the tragic killings in Yelwata and other violence-stricken areas across the country.

“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.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges require a “Whole-of-Society” approach, involving collaboration between the military, civilian institutions, and the public.

Also speaking at the event, Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, provided a breakdown of military operations over the last two years:

6,260 terrorists and criminals neutralized in joint operations nationwide

14,138 suspects arrested

5,365 civilians rescued

Regional Breakdown:

Niger Delta: N83 billion worth of stolen crude recovered; 103 criminals killed; 2,760 suspects arrested

North-East: 1,246 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists neutralized; 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 civilians rescued

South-East (Operation Udoka): 440 terrorists killed; 1,677 arrested

South-West: 80 criminals killed; 1,763 arrested; 89 kidnap victims rescued

Weapons and ammunition recovered across the country include thousands of rounds and hundreds of assault rifles and other arms.

Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, reiterated the military’s commitment to keeping Nigerians informed and involved in national security efforts.

He said the engagement aligned with General Musa’s leadership vision of fostering a “people-centric Armed Forces.”

“Our Armed Forces are not just fighters, but protectors and partners in national progress,” Gusau stated.

As Nigeria continues to battle threats on multiple fronts, the Defence Headquarters called on all Nigerians to be vigilant, supportive of security agencies, and actively involved in the collective pursuit of lasting peace and national unity.

Source: https://vanguardngr.com/benue-massacre-locals-sheltered-attackers-gave-them-food-women-cds-musa-alleges

Meaning that he that is blood thirsty is never satisfied with red oil. I refuse to shelter my death.

Where are the people defending the so-called hunters attacked in Benin? The Edo State Governor had to explain to the Kano counterpart that he is not responsible for the attack. When the Southerners are the victims, the attackers become faceless without identity. But when the Northerners are the victims, they automatically have states of origin. If the police cannot fish out the people involved, then the IGP should humbly resign as he has failed woefully. If Tinubu knows that he cannot handle the problems of Nigeria and Nigerians, then he should humley resign honourabley instead of the country to collapse under his watch.

They will always find excuses to their incompetence.

Funny enough this man is always making sense in proferring solutions
He seems to be a bright light in an otherwise politicised security apparatus
It's been long I saw a forthright and straight speaking soldier

Believe this and you will believe anything. Since last year the attacks started, has any single person being arrested and prosecuted. Since last year has the military stopped any single attack. Does it mean that all the intelligence Since 2023 has resulted in nothing

That's a very big allegation ooo. I know some Benue people worked with the invaders

The People Yelwata say they know who attacked them and from where they came. They came from across the river in a community in Nasarawa state. Fulani soldiers in the army trained those guys.

How many of the criminals and their sympathizers have you arrested?

Stop telling us boring stories

Why is the govt intent on blaming the attacked community. First they claimed cattle rustling and herders- farmer clash was responsible and the Tor Tiv and villagers cleared the air and called it exactly what it is a genocidal attack which is unprovoked and now they are trying to sell the narrative that the villagers harboured the attackers. So if the attackers came to the village unarmed to mingle and interact are the villagers supposed to suspect everyone who comes to their community

Small small truth will be coming out. You see that Benue. They just don't like or love themselves

Very stupid and annoying statement from him.

Who are the locals? Where is their confessions? Where are the attackers arrested? Because this level of intelligence is level 5. Enough to arrest all the attackers.

I don't blame you guys though. The next thing is for one idiot to call out Igbos on it and the distraction is achieved. We have daft people filled this country. That's why you all make fuuul of Nigerians. Shame of a nation

Oga, stop all these cock&bull stories.
Nigerians want to see the attackers arrested, along with those that conspired with them.

Shut up! They did it under threat and duress.

If this news is true, then is so unfortunate that the Benue people are part of their own problem.
The security Agencies should investigate and fish out all the traitor's.
They must face the law.

I don't understand
How can you do this to a people and expect you would escape God's wrath?

Tomorrow, when the children children of this Fulani killers start suffering for this atrocities committed by this their forefathers and our children children starts reminding them of how their ancestors went about killing and burning people in their sleeps and how the blood of those victims of their atrocities are the reason they will suffer for the rest of their existence, some children children of hypocritical lots will start telling our children children that they are being insensitive to the plight of fulani children children!

You will reap whatever you sow, and your generations will reap it more.

Continue in whatever you're doing good or bad, your reward awaits you and yours!

Who is even the Minister of defence. Is like that person doesn't know his work.

It's obviously a lot of people are just commenting and not even reading the article, what a shame.

That's a lie. U haven't made any arrests and u are coming up with lies.

bolaayenimo:
Shut up! They did it under threat and duress.

You have a good point, but the insult you brought in makes your contribution meaningless.

Learn to make contributions without insult.

sleek214:
That's a very big allegation ooo. I know some Benue people worked with the invaders

But why would somebody join hands with his enemies?

It is the F G and miIitary that was giving them support and women if not how will u know without making any arrests?

Kukutente23:
Funny enough this man is always making sense in proferring solutions
He seems to be a bright light in an otherwise politicised security apparatus
It's been long I saw a forthright and straight speaking soldier

which solutions did he profer?

is he supposed to be proferring solutions or implementing solutions?

What about killing going on in Enugu, Plateau, Nassarawa, Abia etc... Did the community shelter the criminals

Why cant the DSS infiltrate their camp all these years.
I saw how the DSS was very active in Uromi tracking people. I also saw how they tracked Sunday Igboho and almost killed him.

It seems some Nigerian citizens are more superior than others.

That's why no reasonable community should sell their lands to Fulani people. If you do that, you have signed your own death warrant. The people who entertained them must be fellow Fulanis.

Yeah Tinubu's government will blame the victims for their failure to protect citizens.

I thought they said fuckeen before any important engagement brings ill luck.
Why dem no come catch those people?

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Thursday made a startling revelation that some individuals within Benue State provided accommodation, food, and even women to armed criminals who carried out the recent deadly attack on Yelwata community that left dozens dead.

Speaking at an expanded media interaction at Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the CDS said local informants also helped the attackers identify the location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yelwata, resulting in the high casualty figure recorded in the massacre.

if he knows this, why has he not arrested them? are they ghosts?

General Musa disclosed that troops had received intelligence about potential attacks in various communities across the state and were mobilized accordingly. However, upon arrival at the initially mentioned locations, it turned out the information was misleading, as the real attack had already been executed in Yelwata using a hit-and-run approach.

if he says his failure is a result of wrong intelligence, what is the guarantee that his report that "some individuals within Benue State provided accommodation, food, and even women to armed criminals who carried out the recent deadly attack on Yelwata community that left dozens dead" is not based on wrong intelligence?

sleek214:
That's a very big allegation ooo. I know some Benue people worked with the invaders

who are the Benue people you know that worked with the invaders?

SmartPolician:
That's why no reasonable community should sell their lands to Fulani people. If you do that, you have signed your own death warrant. The people who entertained them must be fellow Fulanis.

Abia State people will never forgive Orji Uzor Kalu for giving land to those marauders from Sahel

helinues:
How many of the criminals and their sympathizers have you arrested?

Stop telling us boring stories

Tough question?

You don’t seem to be in your usual Agbadoos mood