Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has said that some residents of Benue State aided the gunmen who carried out a brutal attack in the Yelwata community, where more than 150 people were killed.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, General Musa said the attackers were not only sheltered by locals, but also provided with food, women, and directions to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp that was later attacked.
“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,” he said. “Yet, security forces received no information.”
He added that early reports misled troops to other locations, allowing the attackers to strike using hit-and-run tactics.
The Defence Chief urged communities to work more closely with security agencies, emphasizing that national security depends on public cooperation.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility,” Musa said.
He also revealed that President Bola Tinubu has ordered full deployment of the military, police, and intelligence services to track down those responsible for the killings and bring them to justice.
General Musa expressed concern about Nigeria’s porous borders, warning that arms and fighters from conflict zones like Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic are finding their way into the country.
He suggested Nigeria learn from other countries with better border control, such as Pakistan’s double-wall fence along its border with Afghanistan.
“These senseless killings weigh heavily on our hearts,” Musa said. “We are fully committed to ensuring justice and restoring peace across Nigeria.”