In a deeply troubling revelation, the President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Poju, has alleged that Nigeria’s security agencies were aware of the planned attack on Yelewata, Benue State, before the deadly incident occurred — but failed to act.
Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, Poju accused the country’s security apparatus of negligence in preventing the brutal attack, which was reportedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
According to Dr. Poju, he personally received an alert about the planned assault days earlier — evidence he believes clearly suggests that intelligence was available but not acted upon.
“I received a security alert on the 27th of last month from someone, warning that the Fulani were planning to attack Yelewata,” Poju disclosed during the interview. “I still have the message on my phone. So, if such an alert reached me, there is no doubt it must have also reached the security agencies long before the attack.”
Dr. Poju went further to accuse top security officials and government leadership of turning a blind eye to growing insecurity in parts of the country — particularly in Benue and other parts of the Middle Belt.
He pointed to what he described as an imbalance in security leadership, implying possible bias in the handling of intelligence.
“Unfortunately, when you have a government that deliberately appoints key positions along ethnic lines — Mr. President, despite my appreciation for his visit to Benue (which is still better than the previous administration), appointed a National Security Adviser who is Fulani, a Chief of Defence Staff who is Fulani, a Minister of Defence who is Fulani, and a Minister of State for Defence who is also Fulani — then one must question: when such reports reach these offices, do you really think they will be acted upon objectively?”
“Whether it is an allegation or a verified intelligence report — if an ordinary citizen like me can receive it, certainly the DSS and the DIA would have had it as well, and would have verified it.”
In his remarks, Poju stressed the urgent need for a more strategic, proactive approach to halting the wave of violence and killings plaguing Benue and other affected states.
“There needs to be a serious change in how security matters are handled. The nonchalance we see is unacceptable when innocent lives are being lost almost weekly,” he warned.
As questions mount over the failure to prevent the Yelewata massacre, many Nigerians are now calling for greater accountability from the country’s security leaders — and for meaningful action to protect vulnerable communities.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
