A violent incident reportedly involving suspected herdsmen has struck Wannune community, located in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State — the hometown of Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). According to findings by LMSINT MEDIA, the attack resulted in multiple casualties and left several residents injured. The violent episode occurred barely two days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid a visit to the state to address the deepening crisis of insecurity. An eyewitness and youth corps member currently serving in the affected area described the situation as alarming and chaotic. “People are fleeing into the bushes to save their lives. The environment is under siege. We need Nigerians to pray for us,” the corps member cried out, pleading for immediate intervention from national security agencies. This fresh wave of violence has triggered concerns about the actual impact of President Tinubu’s recent visit and the effectiveness of the orders he gave to the country’s security forces. During his official tour, the President held a high-level meeting with stakeholders, instructing both the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff to pursue and arrest those responsible for the killings. His visit came on the heels of a harrowing massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people lost their lives, sparking widespread condemnation and national outrage.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has made a disturbing revelation concerning the Yelwata massacre in Benue State. He alleged that certain individuals within the state provided hospitality — including food, accommodation, and even women — to the armed militants who executed the brutal assault that left numerous civilians dead. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, General Musa emphasized that local informants also disclosed the precise location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yelwata, which contributed significantly to the high casualty rate. General Musa noted that military personnel had previously obtained intelligence regarding imminent attacks in several parts of Benue and were strategically deployed. However, this intelligence was ultimately a misdirection, as the real attack occurred in Yelwata through a rapid strike-and-withdraw tactic. “The armed assailants were hosted by people in the area. They received meals, were offered women, and directed to the IDP camp. Yet, not a single alert reached the security agencies,” General Musa lamented. He highlighted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has now directed the full deployment of all security forces—including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and intelligence units—to track and arrest those involved in the killings. General Musa reiterated the importance of community cooperation, stressing that security is a shared responsibility. He urged residents to report any suspicious activities, asserting that proactive citizen engagement could prevent future tragedies. Further expressing concern, General Musa urged the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s fragile borders. He warned that weapons and fighters are freely entering the country from unstable nations such as Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic, worsening regional security challenges. Drawing lessons from abroad, the CDS advised that Nigeria could adopt Pakistan’s border strategy, particularly its double-layered fortified wall built along its border with Afghanistan, as an effective model to emulate. He offered heartfelt condolences to the families of victims in Yelwata and other conflict zones, while reaffirming the military’s unwavering dedication to achieving national peace. “These losses are devastating. We are determined to pursue justice for the victims and to rebuild peace across Nigeria,” General Musa concluded, calling for a “Whole-of-Society” approach involving joint efforts between the military, civil authorities, and the general public.
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The Benue State Police Command has claimed that the group of protesting youths in Makurdi on Sunday allegedly tried to confront the Deputy Governor of the state, Barrister John Ode, during a tense demonstration that followed a deadly massacre. LMSINT MEDIA confirmed that hundreds of concerned young residents flooded the streets of Makurdi to protest the unending wave of killings attributed to armed Fulani herders, which have ravaged many communities across Benue State. The protest was sparked by the horrifying massacre in Yelewata, a community in the Guma Local Government Area, where approximately 250 people reportedly lost their lives in an overnight attack. During the demonstration at Wurukum Roundabout, police officers deployed tear gas in an attempt to disperse the enraged crowd. Scenes from the protest showed a heavy security presence using crowd control tactics to manage the situation. Providing more insight into the events, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, explained that the Deputy Governor had approached the gathering with the intention of speaking to the youth. However, the crowd reportedly rejected any attempt at dialogue. In a press release issued on Monday, the PPRO stated that the demonstration was “taken over by hostile elements who allegedly attempted to physically confront the Deputy Governor.” He further clarified that officers acted promptly, employing non-lethal crowd dispersal techniques—such as water cannons and smoke—to secure the area and ensure the Deputy Governor was escorted away without harm. The police confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were recorded during the intervention.
