General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, revealed yesterday that troops received intelligence that more killer herders were on their way to some communities in Benue State in various locations, mobilised and deployed to the named communities, but upon arrival, discovered the intelligence was incorrect, only to learn the attack was elsewhere.
He stated that state informants gave shelter, food, and even women to the criminal elements who assaulted the Yelewata community, killing at least 200 people.
He stated that the informants also supplied information about the location and environment of the internally displaced persons, including the IDP Camp in Yelewata, where there was a high concentration of people, resulting in a high number of deaths.
The CDS, who talked to the media at the DHQ in Abuja, said that, after Mr President’s direction to catch the culprits of the Yelewata attacks, the military machinery, which included the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as other security agencies, was on the hunt for the offenders.
He praised the police and other security forces for fighting valiantly and apprehending some of the perpetrators.
The CDS said, “When troops received intelligence that bandits were on their way to attack some communities in the state in different locations, troops mobilised and deployed to the named communities but, on getting there, discovered the intelligence was not factual, only to learn the attack was elsewhere.
“This is why we always say communities should provide us with information. See something and report to security agencies. The criminals were given accommodation in the community. They were given food to eat. They were even given women before the attacks, yet the security agencies were not informed.
“How did they know about the IDP camp and the location in that community? They were teleguided by some persons in that community.”
The CDS urged the federal government to address the issue of porous Nigerian borders, stating that the current insecurity and challenges unfolding in the Sahel states of Sudan, Central African Republic, and Libya pose threats to Nigeria, as terrorists, bandits, and arms dealers seek to use Nigeria because they believe it is rich and has vast resources.
He said, “Those thinking that building a border fence to protect our country from these crisis-infested countries and end porosity would be too expensive should learn from countries like Pakistan, which built a border wall separating the country from Afghanistan and a double border wall in a square size that is bigger than Nigeria.”
However, the CDS conveyed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s condolences to the families and communities affected by the recent brutal series of attacks in Benue State.
He said, “We especially grieve with the nation over the tragic losses in Yelewata, Benue State, and other affected areas in both the southern and northern regions of our country.
“These senseless acts of violence against fellow citizens weigh heavily on our hearts. As always, we remain fully committed to ensuring that justice is served and that peace and stability are restored to all corners of Nigeria.
“These multi-faceted threats underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive, multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary approach. In response, the Armed Forces have fully embraced the Whole-of-Society Approach: a framework that emphasises synergy among the military, government institutions and the people as a unified trinity in the fight against insecurity.”
Meanwhile, the DHQ reported that 6,260 terrorists, violent extremists, and other criminals were killed during joint military operations across Nigeria over the last two years.
Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed the information yesterday during an enlarged meeting with media executives at DHQ in Abuja.
He claimed that 14,138 terrorists and criminals were apprehended, while 5,365 people were rescued during various operations across the country during the period under review.
Abu-Mawashi stated that troops collected hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition from several theatres of operation.
He gave a regional breakdown, saying that forces in the Niger Delta recovered stolen crude oil and other petroleum products worth N83 billion, killed 103 criminals, detained 2,760 suspects, and rescued 266 kidnapped citizens.
In the North-East, 1,246 jihadists from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed, while 2,467 were apprehended by security forces.
“The troops rescued 1,920 civilians and recovered 982 arms and 2,153 ammunition in the North East,” he said.
According to the army chief, troops in the North-West killed 1,374 bandits, including their top commanders, which comprises Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
They also apprehended 2,160 bandits and rescued 3,288 hostages from bandit encampments.
He further explained, “The arms and ammunition recovered are 947 weapons and 25,802 rounds of ammunition, respectively.”
According to the DDMO, troops in the North Central region killed 730 terrorists, bandits, and violent extremists while arresting 7,153 of them.
He stated that 1,510 persons were rescued, and 1,065 guns and 19,709 bullets were collected.
In the last two years, troops from Joint Task Force Southeast’s Operation Udoka have neutralised 440 terrorists and detained 1,677 offenders.
The troops rescued 294 civilians and recovered 683 weapons and 21,300 rounds of ammunition,” he said.
The Joint Task Force in Southwest killed 80 criminals and arrested 1,763 others, while they rescued 89 kidnap victims.
“Troops recovered 143 weapons and 177,904 rounds of ammunition,” the defence spokesman added.
Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, described the event as an important milestone in their collective efforts to address and alleviate the nation’s complex security problems.
Gusau stated that the programme was developed in accordance with one of the CDS’ leadership philosophies, which is “leading a people-centric armed force“.
He pledged the military’s commitment to keeping the Nigerian public informed of the armed services’ operations, successes, and sacrifices.
