Punch reports that the Nigerian military and police have begun a massive, cross-border manhunt to find the perpetrators of a deadly attack that killed roughly 200 villagers in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Authorities have called the attack, which took place on Friday, June 13, 2025, under cover of darkness, one of the deadliest massacres to have occurred in the area in recent memory.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa arrived in Makurdi on Monday and then went to the devastated community in Yelewata. Both security chiefs personally inspected the damage and led a new offensive to find the killers, which was reportedly well-planned and may have been assisted by community informants.
General Musa referred to the slaughter as “one killing too many” and promised a swift revision of military tactics, emphasising the value of increased community cooperation and internal vigilance. He expressed doubts about the attack’s accuracy, arguing that it had the telltale signs of insider involvement because homes were burned only in certain locations, demonstrating the attackers’ prior knowledge of their targets.
He continued, “If you see the way some of the burnings were made, you know that they were targeted.”
He underlined the importance of local cooperation and trust, pointing out that without grassroots support, no security operation could be successful. Along with acknowledging the part played by compromised personnel in both the security and civilian ranks, the defence chief promised to rectify those shortcomings.
Musa also emphasised how strategically significant the porous borders between the states of Nasarawa and Benue are. In order to coordinate interstate efforts to close security gaps that enable attackers to strike and flee undetected, he confirmed plans to meet with the governor of Nasarawa State.
Musa reaffirmed the military’s determination, saying Nigerian troops would no longer take a reactive approach. He insisted that we “take the battle to them.” “We won’t hold out for an attack. That way of thinking needs to shift.
Additionally, the military has made a direct appeal to Nigerian youth and the general populace, telling them not to give up. Musa described the Benue killings as an event that must inspire the nation to restore peace and order and called for national unity and coordinated action.
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