Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has revealed that troops were present in Yelwata town, Benue State, on Friday, June 13, 2025, but were misled by a false terror alert that prompted them to vacate the area shortly before it came under attack.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, General Musa disclosed that security forces had responded to a deceptive report of an attack in a neighbouring village, allowing armed assailants to strike the now-unprotected Yelwata community.
“On the issue of intelligence, yes intelligence is coming,” the defence chief said.
“Because of the insider information, that actual day that it happened, the troops were there. There was a fake attack in another village. When the troops moved in, that was when they now came in to attack this other town.”
He went on to allege that attackers are receiving insider support, including detailed intelligence on troop movements, supplies, and even women being brought to them.
“That’s what happens because there are people telling them (attackers): ‘Okay, the troops are here, the troops are there’. I can tell you consistently if troops are moving for an operation, there are people who are monitoring them, telling them three vehicles, this number of soldiers, this number of this, this what they are doing. These people are giving them information. People take food to them. People take even women to give them. That’s to tell you how bad it is and how sad the situation is.”
General Musa stressed the need for improved governance as a long-term solution to security challenges across the country.
“So, that’s why we want to preach the aspect of good governance. We believe that if there’s good governance and people have a sense of belonging, most of these issues will go down if we address them properly.”
The attack on Yelwata resulted in scores of casualties and widespread displacement. While government sources confirmed 59 fatalities, civil rights groups and local leaders reported that as many as 200 people may have been killed, with over 3,000 residents displaced in the aftermath of the assault allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen.
