CDS: Benue attackers have insiders giving information

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the attackers of communities in Benue State have people providing them information.

The CDS said there were officers who compromised and gave out information but that such officers were no longer in service.

Musa stated that there was evidence that the bandits had their targets, thereby establishing the fact that there were insiders that aided them.

He said this on Monday at Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where scores were killed in coordinated attacks on Friday night.

Musa, who vowed to end banditry in Nigeria, said: “I’m going to see my commanders, and we have to change our strategy. We want to look inward and see how we can address this.

“We used to have even within us people that compromise and give information. Going around the scene, the way the killing and burnings were made shows that they had insiders.

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“I discussed with community leaders, traditional rulers, and the clergy on the need for us to work in unity.

“There have been some issues of trust and we are going to address it.”

The CDS said the Nigerian Armed Forces would leave no stone unturned to ensure that such devastating attacks were not recorded in the country again.

He also assured that wherever the attackers were, the forces would get them and neutralise them, adding that the Yelwata attack would be their last act.

Musa said more deployments would be made, adding that he would embark on a similar visit to Nasarawa on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

The CDS condoled with the Benue State Government, Governor Hyacinth Alia, and all victims of banditry attacks, especially the people of Yelwata, over the killings.

The Star