Benue massacre: Some locals sheltered attackers, fed them, gave them women — CDS Musa alleges

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has made a startling allegation that some residents of Benue State provided shelter, food, and even women to the attackers responsible for the recent massacre in Yelwata community, which left over 150 people dead.

Speaking on Wednesday, June 19, during an expanded media briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, General Musa also accused local informants of aiding the assailants by revealing the location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yelwata, where many victims were killed.

According to him, the military had earlier received intelligence about potential attacks in other communities across the state and had deployed personnel accordingly.

However, the attackers used a hit-and-run tactic and targeted Yelwata instead.

“These criminals were harboured by members of the community. They were provided with food and even given women. Worse still, they were guided to the IDP camp location. Yet, we received no intel from residents,” General Musa said.

He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the full mobilisation of all national security forces—including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and intelligence agencies—to hunt down the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.

“This is why we always call on communities to be vigilant and share any suspicious activity. Security is not the government’s job alone—it is a shared responsibility,” he added.

General Musa also called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to tighten Nigeria’s porous borders, which he described as a major security challenge.

He warned that armed groups and fighters from unstable regions such as Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic are infiltrating the country due to its poorly secured frontiers.

He pointed to Pakistan’s example of constructing a double-layer fortified wall on its border with Afghanistan, suggesting that Nigeria could adopt a similar strategy.

Offering his condolences, General Musa expressed deep sorrow over the Yelwata massacre and other violent incidents plaguing the country.

“These senseless killings weigh heavily on our hearts. We are fully committed to ensuring justice and restoring peace across Nigeria,” he stated.