Benue killings: Residents harboured killers, fed them, says Defence chief

Benue killings: Residents harboured killers, fed them, says Defence chief

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has disclosed that residents of Yelwata in Benue State harboured the perpetrators of the recent massacre in the community and gave them food and women.

The Defence Chief revealed this at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja yesterday during an expanded interaction with journalists.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, during his condolence visit to the state on Wednesday, directed the security forces to fish out the perpetrators of the attack that left over 100 dead and property destroyed.

The Defence Chief told journalists that before the incident, troops had received intelligence about potential attacks in various communities across Benue State and were mobilised accordingly.

He said upon arrival at the mentioned locations, it turned out that the information was misleading as the real attack had been executed in Yelwata using “a hit-and-run approach.”

The CDS said local informants also helped the attackers identify the location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Yelwata, resulting in the high casualty figure recorded.

He stated: “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.

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

General Musa said President Tinubu had directed full activation of all national security forces, assuring that the perpetrators of Yelwata killings would be brought to justice.

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He described the porosity of the nation’s borders as a growing threat amid the rising instability in the Sahel region.

He said the flow of arms and fighters from crisis-hit countries like Sudan, Libya and the Central African Republic is worrisome, warning that these elements are exploiting Nigeria’s vast and unmonitored frontiers.

He said Nigeria should learn from a country like Pakistan which successfully built a fortified double-layer border wall to separate itself from Afghanistan.

According to him, Nigeria’s security challenges require a “whole-of-society approach involving collaboration between the military, civilian institutions and the public.

6,260 terrorists killed in 2 years – DHQ

Deputy Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, who also spoke during the interactive session, said 6,260 terrorists and criminals were neutralised in joint operations nationwide in the last two years.

He added that 14,138 suspects were arrested; while 5,365 civilians were rescued within the period.

He said weapons and ammunition recovered across the country included thousands of rounds and hundreds of assault rifles and other arms.

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He broke down the feats recorded thus: “Niger Delta: N83 billion worth of stolen crude was recovered, 103 criminals killed and 2,760 suspects arrested.

“North East: 1,246 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists neutralized, 2,467 arrested and 1,920 civilians rescued.

“North West: 1,374 bandits killed, 2,160 arrested and 3,288 hostages rescued.

“North Central: 730 terrorists killed, 7,153 arrested and 1,510 civilians rescued.

“South East (Operation Udoka): 440 terrorists killed and 1,677 arrested.

“South West: 80 criminals killed, 1,763 arrested and 89 kidnap victims rescued.”

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

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

Earlier yesterday during the maiden Defence Headquarters Civil-Military Relation Conference, the CDS said the suspicion, fear and mistrust in the relationship between the military and the civilian population had often “hampered our ability to effectively work together, particularly in times of crisis or national emergency.”

“The military has been seen not as a partner in progress, but as an occupying force, alien to the people it is meant to serve and protect,” he stated.

Benue killings: Residents harboured killers, fed them, says Defence chief