A joint, cross-border manhunt has been initiated by the police and military to find the gunmen who killed about 200 villagers in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun arrived in Makurdi and Yelewata on Monday to coordinate the operation that would target the suspected killers.
Musa, after assessing the carnage, vowed to take the battle to the terrorists by changing the military’s strategy to fit the situation on the ground.
However, given the manner of the attack, he expressed concerns that the attackers are operating with help from within the community.
The Defence Chief briefed journalists in Yelewata, saying, “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 called for community support, arguing that the Armed Forces’ efforts will not yield much without it.
