CDS, IGP visit Benue community to assess aftermath of attacks

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, have visited Benue following recent attacks in the state.

On June 14, over 100 people were killed in attacks by suspected herdsmen in Yelewata and Daudu communities, in Guma LGA of Benue State.

The death toll from the massacre had reportedly risen to 200 by Sunday, sparking nationwide outrage.

A statement by Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, said Egbetokun and Musa were accompanied by senior officers during the visit to assess the damages caused by the violent attacks in the area.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD., NPM., accompanied by senior officers including the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, DIG Yakubu Kwazhi, mni; the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Logistics & Supply, DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, fdc; the AIG Zone 4, AIG Zachariah Fera; and the CP SIS, CP Abayomi Shogunle, today June 16 2025, arrived Benue State, following the tragic incidents that had occurred in the State, resulting in the death of scores of residents,” the statement reads.

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“Upon his arrival in Benue State, the IGP visited the State Government House, where he commiserated with the State Governor, His Excellency Hyacinth Iormem Alia, who expressed his ease and delight for the IGP’s visit and the deployment of personnel and tactical assets over time, and even at the moment.

In his discussion with the Governor, the IGP condemned the attacks, describing the killings as senseless and an act of terrorism, further reassuring His Excellency that the Nigeria Police Force would carry out its best efforts to rein in the situation and bring the perpetrators of these heinous and barbaric acts to justice.

“The IGP also seized the opportunity to visit the Yelwata Community in Guma LGA of the State, where he inspected the damage done and engaged the community leaders alongside the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa. The IGP commiserated with the members of the community and reassured them of the NPF’s commitment to further augmenting the available security emplacement in the state. To this end, the Inspector-General of Police has directed the immediate deployment of additional tactical teams and assets, assigning the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, DIG Kwazhi Dali Yakubu, mni, to take charge and oversee the operations aimed at restoring peace and serenity to Benue State.”

The IGP also assured officers and men of the Benue state command of adequate welfare and logistics support to challenge the ongoing attacks in the state.

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Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has vowed to end banditry in Nigeria.

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

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

“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 who compromised and gave information. Going around the scene, the way the killings and burnings were made shows that they had insiders.

“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,” he said.

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

The CDS condoled with the Benue Government, Gov. Hyacinth Alia, and all victims of banditry attacks, especially the people of Yelwata town, over their losses.

He advised them to remain strong and steadfast, as hope has already arrived.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CDS, while in Yelwata, held a closed meeting with community leaders and stakeholders.

NAN also reports that Musa inspected the scene of the crime and made a cash donation to the IDPs.

On Sunday, President Bola Tinubu asked security agencies to arrest perpetrators of the incessant killings in Benue State.

The president has scheduled an emergency visit to Benue on Wednesday to address the ongoing violence in the state.