DEFENCE
There is no Massacre in Benue – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed the report of alleged massacre by the military in Konshisha area of Benue, following the killing of 11 troops by bandits in the area.
The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, described the report as spurious and misleading.
Nwachukwu explained that there had been incessant cases of communal clashes in recent times among the people of Konshisha and Oju on boundary demarcation.
He said that as part of efforts to resolve the crisis, the Benue government held meetings with stakeholders in local governments with a view to providing solution to the problem.
According to him, appreciable progress has been made and a final date fixed for all stakeholders to meet in the disputed areas to demarcate the boundary.
“Trouble started on the eve of the final meeting during Easter holiday with reports that fresh fighting has broken out in the area.
“All along, 72 Special Forces Battalion has troops deployed on the Oju side of the boundary and troops of the battalion were on their way to replenish their colleagues on April 5, when they were attacked by bandits attend Bonta in Konshisha.
“The troops who were under command of a captain were seized at a checkpoint mounted by the so called Bonta Boys and taken into Konshisha forest where they were all brutally murdered.
“Not satisfied with killing the soldiers, the bandits proceeded to burn all the eleven soldiers and their officer beyond recognition while their weapons and ammunition were carted away,” he said.
The defence spokesperson disclosed that military reinforcements that were dispatched to Bonta the following morning also came under attack from close to 500 armed youths who had fully occupied Bonta at the time.
He said that the number of youths involved in the attacks suggested that the bandits could not be from Bonta alone, but were joined by bandits from other parts of Konshisha.
He said that the troops repelled the attack after more than four hours of intense fighting during which military helicopter provided close air support to ground troops.
According to him, 10 bandits are killed during the fight with the rifle of one of the Killed in action soldiers recovered from the bandits who fell casualty during the exchange of fire.
He said that there were no other civilian casualties in any part of Konshisha till date, apart from the initial 10 bandits eliminated by the troops.
Nwachukwu however, challenged anybody from Konshisha to present to the public the bodies of innocent persons, male, female or children allegedly killed by troops in the area.
According to him, there was never a massacre as being touted by some mischief makers.
Nwachukwu also stated that bandits that escaped from Bonta withdrew into neighbouring villages where they kept on attacking troops as they continued with the search operation through Bonta into other parts of Konshisha.
According to him, knowing the implications of killing troops in cold blood, most of the villagers have fled their homes which are occupied by armed bandits who are firing at troops from the settlements as they advanced into Konshisha.
He said that troops repelled the attacks and destroyed the houses and other buildings which the criminals used as hideouts for the attacks.
“The use of abandoned settlements by armed bandits to attack troops is popular with insurgents.
“The aim is to draw military fire into the dwellings and then turn round to blame soldiers for the destruction.
“This is common guerilla tactics armed bandit designed to whip up public sentiment against security forces and this is what played out in Konshisha.
“This accounts for some of the burnt houses being reported in the press,” he said.
Nwachukwu further noted that some of the phones of the dead soldiers were also tracked to some of the settlements, saying that bandits should be blamed for the destruction since they used these settlements as hideout for attacks.
He said it would be wrong to blame soldiers who were in Konshisha on legitimate duties when some of them were killed.
He added that some of the buildings being paraded were actually burnt during earlier communal clashes between Konshisha and Oju.
The spokesperson said that the soldiers deployed to Konshisha displayed commendable restraints by adhering to the rules of engagement in the face of unprovoked attacks.
He said that military would ensure that the local leaders of Konshisha must bring the main actors responsible for the mayhem to security forces to face justice in addition to the return of all carted away weapons and all other weapons in their possession.
“The military will not tolerate the jungle justice attitude and dastardly acts leading to the gruesome murder of patriotic soldiers on legitimate duty to keep the peace.
“We look forward to working with the Benue government in its promise to support security forces in fishing out those fomenting trouble in Konshisha.
“Once again, there is no massacre in Konshisha and the stories making the rounds are fabricated by bandits and their sponsors to smear the military after killing troops,” he said.(NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The Nigerian Army on Thursday marked a seamless change of leadership as Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu officially assumed office as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
The handing and taking over ceremony was held at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, between the outgoing COAS, now Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and his successor.
In his maiden address, Maj.
Gen. Shaibu commended Lieutenant General Oluyede for his exemplary leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to the progress of the Nigerian Army. He praised his predecessor’s accomplishments in equipment procurement, infrastructural development, and the “Soldier First” initiative, which placed troop welfare and operational readiness at the core of Army operations.The new COAS pledged to sustain and build upon the legacies of his predecessor while enhancing collaboration among security agencies to strengthen national security. He assured that the current security landscape would be critically assessed, with prompt responses to emerging threats.
“I salute the courage, passion, resilience, and discipline of our troops in the field. Their sacrifices remain the cornerstone of our collective success,” he stated.
Shaibu expressed deep appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for entrusting him with the leadership of the Nigerian Army. He also led senior officers in observing a minute’s silence in honour of fallen heroes.
In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing COAS and new CDS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership and the opportunity to serve. He lauded officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication and urged them to remain loyal and committed under the new leadership.
“The mission remains the same — to ensure the security of lives and defend the territorial integrity of our nation,” he said.
Earlier, the former Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj. Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, described General Oluyede as a selfless and visionary leader whose impact would be remembered by generations of officers.
The event featured the signing of handover documents, decoration of the new Army Chief with Headquarters insignia, inspection of the quarter guard, and group photographs with senior officers and field commanders.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have sustained an aggressive nationwide campaign against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal groups, recording major operational successes across all theatres within the week ending October 16, 2025.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who disclosed this during the weekly press briefing in Abuja, said the operations reflected the continued dedication, professionalism, and discipline of Nigerian troops on land, in the air, and at sea.
According to him, coordinated operations under various Joint Task Forces—Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North West, Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE in the North Central, Operation DELTA SAFE in the South-South, and Operation UDO KA in the South-East—resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, arrest of criminal elements, and rescue of kidnapped victims.
In the North East, troops denied Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS fighters freedom of movement through aggressive ground and air operations in parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. Scores of terrorists were eliminated, 16 collaborators arrested, and seven hostages rescued. Troops also recovered assorted weapons, vehicles, and ₦5.14 million in cash.
Similarly, in the North West, troops sustained their offensive against bandits in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger States. Several terrorists were killed, 14 arrested, and six kidnapped victims rescued. A gunrunner and two drug cartel members were also apprehended with 1,307 live ammunition, motorcycles, narcotics, and ₦227,000.
In the North Central region, under Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE, troops carried out raids and responded to distress calls in Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States, neutralising criminals and rescuing 17 kidnap victims. Four suspects were also convicted and sentenced by a magistrate court in Plateau State.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops foiled oil theft valued at over ₦98.7 million, destroying 11 illegal refining sites and arresting 13 suspects. The troops also seized large volumes of stolen petroleum products and dismantled multiple illegal refining facilities across Delta and Rivers States.
Meanwhile, in the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested a notorious IPOB/ESN commander known as Gentle alongside eight accomplices in Imo and Ebonyi States. A female logistics supplier linked to the group was also apprehended in Abia State, where three children of a wanted terrorist leader were found in her custody.
Major General Kangye commended the gallant troops for their bravery and sacrifices, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces remain steadfast and resolute in securing the nation.
“Our recent operational successes—whether in counterterrorism, anti-banditry, maritime security, or internal operations—are not just battlefield victories but clear demonstrations of our resolve to secure every inch of Nigeria,” he stated.
He urged citizens to continue supporting the military through credible intelligence sharing, noting that collective cooperation remains vital to achieving lasting peace and stability across the country.
By David Torough, Abuja
Barely one weekend after President Bola Tinubu’s directives to immediately fish out the perpetrators of the Yelewata massacre in Benue state, the Inspector-general of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the arrest of 26 suspects for their alleged involvement in the recent massacre at Yelewata community of Guma local government area in Benue State.
Egbetokun said in the attack, 47 villagers were killed, two attackers were killed by the police and over 100 others were displaced.
He disclosed this during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters yesterday in Abuja.
Egbetokun said the majority of the suspects were arrested on June 22.
Relatedly, the IGP also revealed that 22 suspects have been arrested for killing 12 travellers in Plateau State, while five persons have been arrested for killing two people in Benue State this week.
The arrests were coming barely a week after President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of the killer-herders who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue State.
Tinubu gave the directive while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Markudi, during a visit to the State.
The meeting included the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, Traditional Rulers and former governors of the state among others.
Tinubu had called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests had not been made at the time.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” President Tinubu directed.
He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.
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