The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday pledged to end the wave of deadly attacks in Benue State.
Their visit to Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area follows Friday’s brutal assault by suspected armed herders that left at least 59 people dead and over 3,000 displaced.
CDS Orders New Strategy
Speaking during a tour of the attack site, General Musa condemned the repeated violence, calling it “one too many.” He ordered military commanders in Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa to revise their operational strategy and act decisively against terrorism.
“We are tired of innocent souls being killed,” Musa said. “This madness must stop and it will end.”
He emphasized that successful security efforts require cooperation from communities, pointing to evidence of insider complicity in the latest attack.
“We’ve discussed with traditional rulers and clergy to work as one. We can’t do this alone,” he added.
Governor Alia: “Unacceptable Carnage”
Governor Hyacinth Alia decried the scale of the killings and said the federal delegation’s presence offers hope. He revealed that more security teams have already been deployed to the state and expressed optimism that this would create a “huge difference.”
“This is unacceptable. The people of Benue deserve peace,” Alia said.
IGP Deploys More Tactical Teams
Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun extended condolences to the grieving community and assured them of stronger police presence. He immediately deployed additional tactical units and equipment, and directed DIG Operations, Yakubu Kwazhi, to oversee efforts in the region.
“A day is coming when the bandits will attack and never return. That day is drawing nearer,” the IGP said.
He urged residents to assist law enforcement by reporting strange movements and unknown individuals in their communities.
High-Level Security Delegation
The IGP was accompanied by:
DIG Yakubu Kwazhi (Operations)
DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat (Logistics & Supply)
AIG Zachariah Fera (Zone 4)
CP Abayomi Shogunle (CP SIS)
The coordinated effort by the military, police, and state government signals a stronger federal response to restore peace in one of Nigeria’s hardest-hit regions by banditry and herder-related violence.
