Yelwata: Those Carrying Arms Illegally, Resisting Arrest Should Be Shot, Directs CDS Musa
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has warned that anyone caught illegally carrying firearms and resisting arrest should be shot.
He made this statement during a visit to Yelwata community in Benue State, amid rising concerns over insecurity and the proliferation of arms in the area.
Addressing troops and local leaders, General Musa said the Nigerian Armed Forces would no longer tolerate individuals who threaten national security by bearing arms unlawfully.
He stressed that the rule of law must be upheld and that criminal elements who challenge the authority of the state would face dire consequences.
“Any person found carrying arms illegally and who resists arrest is not only breaking the law but also threatening national security and the peace of the citizens. Such individuals should be treated as enemies of the state. If they resist arrest, they should be shot,” General Musa declared.
The CDS’s remarks follow a series of violent incidents in Yelwata and other border communities between Benue and Nasarawa States. These areas have experienced a surge in armed attacks, believed to be carried out by criminal groups exploiting the region’s porous borders.
During his visit, General Musa reassured the residents of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and protecting law-abiding citizens. He urged the community to assist security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and sharing credible intelligence.
Reactions to the CDS’s statement have been mixed. While many in Yelwata welcomed the tough stance, having endured repeated attacks by armed groups, human rights advocates have raised concerns about the potential for abuse and extrajudicial killings.
General Musa defended the directive, stating that the military adheres to strict rules of engagement and that security personnel are trained to distinguish between legitimate threats and innocent civilians.
He emphasized that the armed forces remain focused on upholding peace, law, and order across the country.
The visit to Yelwata is part of a broader security operation aimed at tackling the escalating violence in the Middle Belt region, where communities have been ravaged by armed conflict and criminal activity.
