General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, has suggested that residents of Yelwata in Benue State may have aided the gunmen responsible for the recent deadly attack that claimed numerous lives.
Addressing journalists at Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, General Musa stated that intelligence gathered indicates some members of the community provided support to the attackers. This alleged support included shelter, food, and women, as well as guidance that led the armed men to a camp housing internally displaced persons (IDPs).
He revealed that although security forces had been stationed in parts of Benue in anticipation of possible threats, the attackers were still able to launch their offensive — possibly with the help of local collaborators.
“These criminals were protected by people within the community. They were fed, given women, and shown the way to the IDP camp,” he said. “Regrettably, our security personnel received no alerts from the residents ahead of the attack.”
In response to the incident, President Bola Tinubu has directed a full-scale deployment of Nigeria’s security architecture — including the military, police, and intelligence services — to track down and prosecute those responsible.
General Musa urged the public to take a more active role in security matters, stressing that intelligence from local communities is vital to preventing such tragedies.
“Security is not the sole duty of government forces. Everyone has a role to play in protecting our society,” he stated.
The Defence Chief also expressed concern over the country’s porous borders, which he said have made it easier for armed groups and weapons to enter Nigeria from neighboring conflict zones such as Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic.
He warned that instability in the Sahel region is spilling into Nigeria, largely through unmonitored border routes, and called for immediate action to improve border surveillance and control.
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