The Defence Headquarters has denied the involvement of the military in the Yelwata massacre, stating that recent accusations claiming that some military members might be responsible for the tragic events in Yelwata, Benue State, are unfounded and without any credible proof.
This statement was posted on the official X account of the defense headquarters and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau.
The statement said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had publicly assured that the military did not carry out the killings, stating that the military aims to protect civilians and uphold the law.
He said that “there is no reliable proof to back the idea that there was sabotage from within the military regarding the Yelwata incident.
“Investigations by independent organizations, including human rights groups, have found no connection between the military and those who committed the violence.
“The tragic events in Yelwata are part of a larger series of conflicts in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, primarily involving disputes between farmers and herders.
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“These conflicts arise from long-standing issues related to land use, grazing, ethnic tensions, and competition for resources.
“Although the military has been deployed to help maintain peace, the root causes of the violence are complex social and economic matters.
“Blaming the Yelwata massacre on sabotage within the military is misleading and takes the focus away from the true problems at hand.
“It’s important to concentrate on solving the underlying issues causing these community conflicts and to promote dialogue and reconciliation for lasting peace in the affected areas.”
In the statement, the chief of defence staff emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, urging communities to work more closely with security agencies to address these challenges.
He also encouraged community members not to shield criminals and reassured them that the military and other security forces are there to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
