The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and security in Benue State, following a brutal attack that claimed the lives of over 150 civilians in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area.
Dr. Matawalle was among top dignitaries who accompanied the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on a high-level security assessment visit to the affected area on Tuesday. The delegation also included the service chiefs, senior intelligence officers, and other federal officials.
The visit came in the wake of what has been described as a heinous and cowardly assault by suspected armed elements on innocent civilians — an incident that has drawn nationwide condemnation.
President Tinubu, while addressing the press and the grieving community, strongly condemned the massacre and directed security and intelligence agencies to launch coordinated pursuit operations to apprehend and neutralise the perpetrators. The President assured the people of Benue that acts of terror will not go unpunished under his administration.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Matawalle assured residents that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is fully prepared to escalate ongoing security operations across the North Central zone. He emphasized that both kinetic and non-kinetic measures are being deployed to stabilize the region and secure the lives and property of citizens.
“The Ministry of Defence is deploying strategic assets to reinforce security in Benue and across Nigeria,” Matawalle said. “We remain committed to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, and operations will continue until total normalcy is restored.”
The Minister reiterated that the era of impunity is over, and declared unequivocally: “To the enemies of the nation — your reign of terror is over.”
The Federal Government expressed its deep condolences to the bereaved families and assured the people of Benue State of its unwavering support in this difficult time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families,” Dr. Matawalle said. “The Federal Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Benue in this moment of grief.”