The military and police forces have launched a massive joint manhunt following the brutal killing of hundreds in Yelewata, a village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The deadly assault, which took place overnight on Friday, June 13, 2025, left scores dead, homes in ruins, and hundreds displaced.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, visited the affected area on Monday to personally assess the devastation and lead response efforts.
During a press briefing, General Musa described the killings as “one too many,” and said the military would overhaul its approach to dealing with the attackers. He also noted the troubling possibility that the assailants had help from within the community.
“In every society, including the military, there are always people who compromise,” Musa said. “We cannot do it alone without the community.”
He urged residents to come forward with information and support the effort to root out those responsible. Musa also pointed to the porous border between Benue and Nasarawa as a security weakness that needs immediate attention. He said the military would work closely with the Nasarawa State government to close gaps that insurgents exploit.
“We must take the battle to them, we must not wait for them to attack,” he added.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, called the killings a direct threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty and said the days of impunity were over. Speaking in Makurdi, he assured the public of renewed police presence and tougher operations across the state.
“These mindless acts of terror are not just attacks on Benue people, but they are attacks on the sovereignty and integrity of the nation,” he said.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, visibly emotional, said the state is in deep mourning and welcomed the presence of the security chiefs. He said President Bola Tinubu has shown strong support, and expressed hope that peace would soon return.
The president has rescheduled a planned trip to Kaduna and will instead visit Benue on Wednesday, June 18, to meet stakeholders and assess the situation firsthand. According to a statement from his media adviser, Tinubu will hold talks with traditional rulers, youth groups, and security officials during the visit.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, confirmed that more troops have already been deployed to the region. He said, “The Federal Government has rendered assistance through NEMA, while more troops have been deployed to Benue State to handle the explosive situation.”
