By Emmanuel Kwada
In response to the recent wave of deadly attacks in Benue State, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has called for a strategic shift, emphasizing community self-protection as a key measure to curb the ongoing violence.
The announcement came during a visit to Yelwata town in Guma Local Government Area, where over 100 residents were reportedly killed in coordinated attacks by suspected armed herders and bandits on Friday night.
General Musa, accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the region, describing the Yelwata massacre as “one killing too many.” He highlighted the critical role of community collaboration, urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local stakeholders to work closely with security forces to restore trust and bolster local defense mechanisms.
“We cannot succeed without the communities. Everyone has a role to play,” Musa stated, emphasizing the need for a united front to combat the violence.
We cannot succeed without the communities. Everyone has a role to play
The CDS also raised alarms about insider collaboration, noting that the targeted nature of the attacks suggested some community members were providing information to the assailants. “The way the killings and burnings were carried out shows they had insiders,” he said, vowing to overhaul military strategies and address trust issues within and outside the armed forces.
Musa revealed plans to replicate successful security measures from other parts of Nigeria in Benue and announced an upcoming visit to Nasarawa State to strengthen cross-border security coordination, citing intelligence that attackers often infiltrate from neighboring regions.
Wherever they are coming from, we will go after them. We must not wait for them to strike first
“Wherever they are coming from, we will go after them. We must not wait for them to strike first,” he declared.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, pledged additional resources and tactical teams to support Benue’s security efforts, reaffirming the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ending the “reign of impunity by criminal gangs.”
He extended condolences to Governor Hyacinth Alia, the people of Benue, and the bereaved families, noting that the attacks were an assault on the nation’s sovereignty.
Governor Alia, who joined the security chiefs in Yelwata, described Benue as “bleeding” and welcomed the federal government’s swift response. Local leaders, including Guma LGA Chairman Maurice Orwough, expressed hope that the high-level visit would rebuild trust among residents and signal a turning point in the fight against insecurity. “The presence of the CDS gives our people a sense of hope,” Orwough said.
President Bola Tinubu, via a statement on his official X handle, condemned the “senseless bloodletting” and directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute perpetrators. He urged Governor Alia to lead dialogue and reconciliation efforts to foster lasting peace.
This is our country, and we can’t give it up. This madness must stop
As protests by Yelwata youths continue, with demonstrations blocking the Lafia-Makurdi highway, General Musa appealed to young people not to lose hope, insisting, “This is our country, and we can’t give it up. This madness must stop.” The CDS also made a cash donation to internally displaced persons (IDPs) during his visit, following a closed-door meeting with community leaders.
The military’s new strategy, combined with community-driven self-protection initiatives, aims to prevent further attacks and restore stability to Benue, a state long plagued by herder-farmer conflicts and banditry. With additional deployments underway and a focus on rooting out insider threats, General Musa vowed that the Yelwata attack would be the attackers’ “last act.”
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