Insider collaboration with attackers are responsible for the repeated killings in Benue State.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Monday, stated this in Makurdi, the state capital
At least 100 people were killed on Saturday in Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area by armed invaders.
General Musa, who arrived the scene, assessed the situation and commiserated with Governor Hyacinth Alia and the people of the state, said security operatives suspect some individuals within the communities are feeding vital information to the attackers.
“In my estimation, it is one killing too many. We have observed that the way some of the burnings were carried out shows they were targeted. It indicates the presence of insiders compromising security efforts,” the CDS said.
According to the CDS, there was a need for everybody to join the fight to secure the environment, adding that there should be a shift in strategy.
He said the military would review its approach and work more closely with local stakeholders to address the crisis.“We cannot do it alone. We need the communities to be part of this effort,” he said.
Gen. Musa said consultations with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local communities were ongoing to restore trust and collaboration.
“There may be issues of trust and we are going to address them. We want this to be the last attack of this nature. We will go all out to ensure peace is restored,” he added.
He said operations being implemented in other parts of the country would be replicated in the state, adding that as he visit Nasarawa State to strengthen border security coordination, which he described as critical to curbing cross-border attacks.
“We always receive information that these attackers are coming from across the borders. Wherever they are coming from, we will go after them. We must not wait for them to strike first,” he said.
Gen. Musa told young people not to lose hope, insisting that Nigeria must not surrender to the violence.
“This is our country. We can never give up our country for anything. And this madness must stop,” the CDS posited.
The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Maurice Orwough, said the visit brings renewed hope to the people of the area.
Orwough said, “the visit of the Chief of Defence Staff gives our people in Guma LGA a sense of hope. It shows that the Nigerian government is genuinely concerned about the situation in Benue State. This visit allows us to provide him with first-hand information about what is happening here and what we need,” adding that the visit would help rebuild residents’ trust in the federal government.
