Benue Massacre: IG, CDS launch manhunt as security operations set to begin crossborder
Amidst incessant massacres taking centre-stage in Benue State, IG, CDS are set to begin cross-border patrol.
The Nigerian Army and Police Force have coordinated a collaboration, cross-border manhunt for unidentified gunmen who killed about 200 villagers in Yelewata (Guma Local Government Area of Benue State) on Friday night, 13th June, 2025.
Inspector-General of Police (IG) Kayode Egbetokun and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa visited Makurdi and Yelewata on Monday to launch the operation aimed at apprehending the suspected killers.
Benue Massacre: IG CDS Launch Manhunt
General Musa, after evaluating the massacre, assured the villagers that he would engage in fierce battle against the terrorists by employing unknown military tactic suitable for the situation at presence.
Howbeit, considering the degree of the attack, he expressed concerns that the killers are carrying out their inhumane actions through support from someone within the community.
Briefing the press in Yelewata, ssaying: “In every society, including the military, there are always people who compromise. I promise to meet with the commanders and find ways to change our strategies.
“In my estimation, it is one killing too many. We’re here to ensure that we address such. From here, I’m going to see my commanders, and we are going to change our strategies to look inwards and see how we can address this. We cannot do it alone without the community.”
Musa solicited support of the community, stating that the Military’s efforts will not come to naught without their cooperation.
“There may be trust issues that we are going to address. For us we want this to be the last that would happen.
“We need everybody to be part of it, we understand that even before now we used to have even within us, people that used to compromise and give out information.
“If you see the way some of the burnings were made, you know that they were targeted. It shows they have insiders,” he stated.
The Army general also conceded that the borders within Nasarawa and Benue States are porous and vowed to meet with Governor of Nasarawa State to strategize on how to curb the challenges.
Benue Massacre: IG CDS Launch Manhunt
His statement: “I want to assure Nigerians, the whole Benue State, and all over the country, that we are determined, based on the mandate of Mr. President, that we will restore peace and tranquillity within the country.
“We always have information that these people are coming from across borders; wherever they come from, we will go after them.
“We must take the battle to them, we must not wait for them to attack, and that is what I think. It is very critical that tomorrow (Tuesday) we proceed to Nasarawa State because the borders are actually very critical to the success of what we are doing.”
When urging the youths to assist the military, CDS also advocated supports from all Nigerians.
“We need Nigerians to support us. We must work together as a team. For the youths, please don’t give up. This is our country; we can never give up our country for anything. And this madness must stop,” the CDS said.
It can be recalled that gunmen invaded Yelewata village in Guma LGA of Benue State on Friday night (13th June, 2025) to launch one of the most killing operations in the experience of the state.
Amnesty International and reports garnered locally state that minimum of 100 villagers were gruesomely killed with dozens are yet to be found and hundreds lying in treatment bed with gunshot and burn wounds after the Friday-late-night attackers razed houses through Saturday’s dusk.
Reports from local police acknowledged the attack, but are yet to disclose actual casualty figure, while emergency workers say several victims, had been internally displaced people, were taking refuge in the village.
The Government of Benue State has also launched a manhunt, but the villages fear vengeful attacks as the rainy season, right season for controversial grazing and planting, kick-in.
The most recent attack on the community is traced to farmer-harder uprising, banditry and a security space which is said to have created rooms for the killers to operate.
Benue Massacre: IG CDS Launch Manhunt
The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun described that incessant attacks are a militant to the sovereignty of the country.
In Benue State capital, Makurdi, Egbetokun commiserates with the government and people of the state over the continued killings of their loved ones.
He stated that, though the terrorists had hitherto been carried out their terror in the state with freedom, he vowed that it was time to put an end to the massacre.
“These mindless acts of terror are not just attacks on Benue people, but they are attacks on the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. An attack on any community of Nigeria is an attack on the entire country.
“The criminal elements and bandits might have operated here with impunity in the past but a day is fast approaching when they would come to attack but would never return.
“That day is fast approaching and I can assure you that we would continue to protect lives and property in the state,” the police chief said.
The police boss noted that while his men might not enough to cover the entire community due to its wide terrain, more personnel would be deployed to protect lives and property.
“We are aware of the vast terrain of Benue State and the security challenges it presents. We might not be able to cover every inch of the place, but we will deploy adequately to ensure the protection of lives and property in Benue.
“I want to assure you that the Nigerian Police Force will stand with you and the entire people of Benue state on this. We are going to work closely with you and in close synergy with other security agencies to ensure that lasting peace return to Benue state.
“We will support the state with all of our resources and synergize with other security agencies to defeat these evils,” he vowed.
Benue Massacre: IG CDS Launch Manhunt
Commending the IG on his swift reaction, Governor Hyacinth Alia lamented Benue had been on mourning not just for Friday’s gruesome attacks, but also times before then.
“We are bleeding, we are in sorrow. I believe your visit is going to uplift our spirits and build within us formidable assurance of the fact that we are not alone but that you will be there for us.
“But I’m confident that once our victims feel your presence, it will rekindle hope in them as well.
“We are hopeful that with all hands on deck, we would become victorious and the sorrowful narrative we share today would become a thing of the past,” Alia stated.
Alia, who confirmed the last two as “trying” for the people of Benue, expressed hope that with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security forces, peace will be restored in the state.
“There has been an upsurge of attacks recently. We have not rested in the last two months,” he added.
On Monday, meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna, which was initially scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 18th June, 2025.
He has chosen, instead, to visit Benue on the same day as part of his re-strengthened move to enhance peace and address constant conflict militating against the peace of the state. Kaduna visit will now on hold Thursday, 19th June, 2025.
The announcement was made while the president was inaugurating the Greater Abuja Water Supply project.
“I sympathise with those who have lost their lives. I will adjust my programmes and see Benue people on Wednesday,” Tinubu said.
“The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Benue Massacre: IG CDS Launch Manhunt
During his visit, the president will meet with all Benue State’s stakeholders, which includes the traditional rulers, political, religious, community leaders, and youth groups in the state, to find enduring solution to the inhumanity.
“In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees to Benue State.
“The President is expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders during the visit,” the statement read.
The president previously condemned the persistent killings in Benue State and made a rally call on leaders and residents to choose peace, love and consensual understanding.
He also tasked the state governor to hold reconciliation summit and dialogue among the opposing parties in a bid to bring an end to the bloodshed.
“On the President’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity,” Onanuga said.
Ahead of his visit today, President Tinubu met with the incumbent governor of the state and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who was the Governor of Benue State within 1999 and 2007, to find lasting solutions to the incessant conflicts.
This information was disclosed by Governor Alia on Monday while on Channels Television Monday morning programme, ‘The Morning Brief on Monday.’
“President Tinubu is not wrong to ask us to find common ground for peace. He invited the SGF and me because of what he was hearing from the public. He wanted to know if there was any issue between us,” Alia explained.
He revealed that there had not been any feud between him and Akume.
“The SGF himself said there are no differences between us. And if there were any before, going forward, there will be no problems at all. Our traditional rulers can sleep peacefully,” he added.
Governor Alia blamed the escalating conflicts on the external forces, saying: “We have a complex situation that is being sponsored and controlled from somewhere. We can handle the internal local government issues, but the real problem is with outsiders coming in armed with AK-47 and AK-49 rifles.”
Benue Massacre: IG CDS Launch Manhunt
He rebuffed the viral claim that the Federal Government had not been supporting Benue State through the conflicts.
“If President Tinubu didn’t understand what was happening, he wouldn’t be giving us full support.
“Out of 23 local governments, 17 were under siege. We reduced it to nine, then six, and now just three. That progress was possible because of the support from the Federal Government,” the clergyman said.
On the other hand, the SGF, Akume, says that the Federal Government has sent additional military personnel to Benue State in reaction to the recent attack.
Akume, reaffirming FG’s move to end the killings, said President Tinubu pro-actively deployed full-strength military operation to curb the killings and restore peace in the state, following “mindless and disheartening” murders in the state.
“I express profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, for his swift directive for a full security operation to rid Benue of these killers and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“It is to be noted also, that the Federal Government has rendered assistance through NEMA, while more troops have been deployed to Benue state to handle the explosive situation,” he stated.
Grieving over the gruesome killings, Akume described the incident as an injury to the country.
He said: “The continued bloodletting and mindless killings across Benue State are both disheartening and utterly condemnable.
“This latest reprehensible act — one among too many—is not merely a tragedy for Benue; it is a deep wound to the soul of our nation.
“These dastardly acts are not restricted to Benue State alone. Plateau and Zamfara states also suffer the same fate. These killings are economic deterministic, not religious driven,” he stated.
Akume called on the Benue leaders and stakeholders to jettison their differences and swiftly come together to source a lasting solution to the conflict and restore peace
He said: “We must rise above division and act decisively to protect our people and preserve our future.”
Mark Issues Warnings
On Monday, Former Senate President David Mark warned the FG may end up utilising self-help and self-defence to against the terrorists if it continues to be enshrined in its sole duty to protect lives and property.
Benue Massacre: IG CDS Launch Manhunt
Mark issued this warning in a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser, Paul Mumeh.
In the warning, the primary responsibility of any government is the welfare and security of its citizens.
“The situation may compel residents to resort to self-help and defend themselves if the government continues to fail in its fundamental duty of protecting lives and property.
“This is the unfortunate reality the Benue people are confronted with. Government must rise to its responsibility, or risk leaving the people with no option but to defend themselves,” he said.
The former Senate President implored the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional role to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry.
He also called on the Benue Government to accelerate its efforts in ensuring the safety of its people.
He made appeal to the traditional rulers. Community leaders and the state’s stakeholders to be conscious and fully cooperate with the security operatives in identifying and nabbing those perpetrating the gruesome crimes.
To the resident of the state, Mark issued a message of support and encouragement, saying: “This is a trying moment for our people. We must unite, mobilise, and speak with one voice against the invaders. We must refuse to bow to fear,” he added.
Benue Massacre: IG CDS Launch Manhunt