Coalition Condemns CDS Musa Over Claim That Benue Residents Aided Bandits in Yelwata Massacre

The National Coalition Against Mass Killings and Impunity (NCAMKI), in partnership with the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation, has strongly criticised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, over his recent comment alleging that residents of Benue State “provided food, shelter and even women” to the armed men responsible for the Yelwata massacre. The coalition described the statement as deeply troubling, insensitive, and potentially inflammatory at a time when communities in the state are still grappling with trauma, grief, and a persistent sense of insecurity.

In a statement issued by its National Secretariat, the coalition labelled General Musa’s remarks as “reckless and provocative,” arguing that such a narrative unfairly shifts blame onto victims who have endured years of violent attacks, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. NCAMKI stressed that comments of this nature not only undermine the dignity of affected communities but also divert public attention from the federal government’s constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of all citizens.

According to the coalition, suggesting that residents of Benue State collaborated with marauding attackers is a dangerous oversimplification of a complex security situation. The group emphasised that people living under the constant threat of violence often face coercion, intimidation, and brutality from armed groups. In such environments, forced compliance should not be misconstrued as voluntary collaboration. NCAMKI noted that casting entire communities as willing accomplices risks fuelling suspicion, widening ethnic tensions, and weakening the already fragile trust between citizens and security agencies.

The group further argued that the comments could have long-term destabilising effects, especially in a region where tensions between farming communities and armed pastoralist groups have led to repeated cycles of killings and reprisals. NCAMKI warned that stereotyping or blaming victims for atrocities committed against them creates fertile ground for further division, while simultaneously giving room for government institutions to evade accountability for security lapses.

The coalition also questioned the timing and intent behind the statement, arguing that rather than focusing on unsubstantiated accusations, the Defence Chief should prioritise a transparent investigation, intelligence-driven operations, and the prosecution of perpetrators behind the Yelwata killings. They insisted that Nigeria needs competent leadership grounded in empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to justice—not narratives that re-traumatise already devastated populations.

NCAMKI therefore demanded an immediate retraction of the statement, urging General Musa to adopt a more responsible public communication approach befitting his office. The organisation emphasised that leadership in times of crisis requires measured and evidence-based comments, as careless statements can deepen mistrust and obstruct cooperation between security forces and local communities—cooperation that is essential for achieving lasting peace.

The group concluded by reaffirming its commitment to advocating for justice, accountability, and an end to mass killings across Nigeria. It called on the federal government, civil society organisations, and the international community to maintain pressure on relevant authorities until genuine solutions to the insecurity in Benue State and other troubled regions are implemented.

In a period marked by widespread insecurity, NCAMKI’s critique underscores the growing public frustration with narratives that appear to blame the oppressed while absolving those charged with their protection. The coalition’s call for restraint, empathy, and accountability highlights the urgent need for a more constructive and human-centred approach to addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.