By Ihotu Uriel
Abuja, June 17, 2025 : The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has firmly denied allegations suggesting internal sabotage within the Nigerian Armed Forces in connection with the recent massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, describing the claims as baseless and lacking credible evidence.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the military reiterated its neutrality and commitment to protecting civilian lives and upholding the rule of law. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, had earlier made it clear that the Armed Forces were not involved in the killings and condemned any attempt to malign the institution without substantiated facts.
The DHQ emphasized that extensive investigations, including those by independent bodies and human rights organizations, have found no links between the military and the perpetrators of the violence. It noted that the Yelwata incident is part of a wider pattern of recurring intercommunal clashes in the Middle Belt, largely driven by disputes over land, grazing routes, and deep-rooted ethnic and socio-economic tensions.
“Misrepresenting the situation by attributing it to internal military sabotage diverts attention from the core issues fueling these conflicts,” the statement read. “Efforts should instead be directed toward addressing the real challenges poverty, land use disputes, and the lack of dialogue between affected communities.”
The CDS has called for a unified approach to peacebuilding, stressing the need for closer collaboration between local communities and security agencies. He urged residents not to shield criminal elements but to support efforts to restore law and order, assuring them of the military’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
