By John Moses
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has firmly rejected claims that internal sabotage within the armed forces played a role in the recent massacre in Yelwata, Benue State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, described the allegations as baseless and unsupported by any credible evidence.
According to Gusau, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had previously made it clear that the military bore no responsibility for the tragic events in Yelwata, where over 200 people were reported killed. He reiterated the military’s commitment to the protection of civilian lives and adherence to the rule of law.
“There is no verifiable information linking the Nigerian military to the violence in Yelwata,” Gusau stressed. “Independent investigations, including those conducted by human rights organisations, have failed to establish any connection between our personnel and the perpetrators of the massacre.”
He explained that the violence in the Middle Belt region is rooted in longstanding ethnic and economic tensions, particularly between farming communities and pastoralists, often driven by disputes over land, grazing routes, and access to resources.
While acknowledging the military’s presence in the region to maintain peace and order, Gusau cautioned against simplifying the complex causes of the conflict by suggesting insider involvement. “Such narratives only deflect from addressing the real challenges behind the persistent intercommunal clashes,” he said.
Gusau added that the Defence Chief had called for a more collaborative strategy involving local communities and security agencies. He urged residents not to harbour criminals and reassured the public of the military’s resolve to protect law-abiding citizens.
