The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, has mobilized swiftly following the tragic massacre of up to 147 people in Yelewata, Guma LGA of Benue State. Acting on President Bola Tinubu’s directive, military and police forces have intensified operations to track down and arrest those responsible for the grisly killings. The crackdown includes a joint cross-border manhunt and increased intelligence gathering to dismantle the attackers’ networks .
General Musa emphasized the importance of community involvement and accurate media reporting, urging the public and press to work in tandem with security forces. He acknowledged that “insiders” may have aided the perpetrators by providing tactical support, which underscores the need for enhanced trust and collaboration between communities and the military .
President Tinubu, during a high-level meeting at the Benue Government House in Makurdi, directed immediate action from the Inspector‑General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and General Musa to expedite justice. He called for sharper intelligence strategies to prevent further bloodshed and demanded tangible results from security agencies .
To restore peace, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, is chairing a multi-stakeholder peace committee. This body includes former state governors, traditional rulers like the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma, civil society figures, and representatives from security agencies. Their aim is to craft a durable framework for reconciliation and unity in Benue and the broader North‑Central region .
Senator Abdul‑Aziz Yari of Zamfara West echoed confidence in Tinubu’s commitment, declaring that the president’s visit and direct intervention signal a hands‑on approach unlikely to be empty threats. Meanwhile, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBL) has called for the establishment of state police forces to bolster regional security, arguing that federal deployments alone are insufficient to tackle persistent threa
