Yelewata massacre: Leaked memo reveals how DSS alerted military to planned attacks in Benue

A leaked memo has revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had warned of impending attacks on communities in Benue and Nasarawa states weeks before the tragic massacres that occurred in mid-June.

In the memo addressed to Moses Gara, the commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) a joint security task force comprising the military, police, and DSS the DSS raised alarms about planned assaults targeting vulnerable areas in both states.

Despite the warning, on June 13, gunmen launched brutal attacks on the Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The onslaught left over 200 people dead, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local farmers.

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In a leaked memo dated May 13 seen by TheCable, the secret police said intelligence revealed that suspected “Fulani militias” were planning to attack settlements in Awe LGA, Nasarawa state, and other communities “anytime soon”.

In the memo, DSS said its checks revealed that the planned attack was to avenge an alleged seizure of some cows by the state government.

The communication identified the communities marked for attack as Mararaba, Jangargari, Wurgi, Gidan Antonny, Akon, Usende, Gaar, Vandikya, Chiata, Dooga, Gidan Baban Yara, Apelle, Pantaki, Kaambe and the Stadium area.

The memo also revealed that there were also plans to attack Tiv settlements and border communities between Nasarawa and Benue states by “suspected armed Fulani mercenaries”.

Yelewata, which later fell under an attack that claimed over 100 lives, was one of the communities identified in the memo.

“Reports indicate that they have been holding a series of meetings in Akpanaja, Rukuhi and Andori settlements in Doma LGA and have stationed their men at designated forests for a coordinated offensive against the Tiv communities,” the memo reads.

“The militias are currently hibernating at Amako and Igbabo forest located between Mkoma and Doka villages in Doma LGA and Ikom forest, located few kilometers away from Yelwata-Udei-Ukohol and Kadarko Railway in Keana LGA and are planning to attack Agatu, Gwer West/Gwer East/part of Makurdi LGA, as well as Guma and Loko Communities, all in Benue State.”

ARMY HELD HIGH LEVEL MEETING OVER BENUE ATTACKS — DAYS AFTER MEMO

In May, Moses Gara, commander of the OPWS, held a “high-level meeting” with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Makurdi, Benue capital, over the constant attacks in the state.

Lawal Osabo, acting assistant director of army public relations, 401 special forces brigade/sector 1 OPWS, in a statement issued on May 28, said the engagement brought together critical stakeholders, including security agencies and local government authorities.

Osabo said the meeting addressed persistent security threats such as farmer-herder conflicts, retaliatory attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling in Benue state.

He added that the concerns raised during the engagement would be tabled before the state government and relevant security agencies.

Following the recent killings, Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), said troops were in Yelewata on the day of the attack but were misled by false information that another community was under siege.

Musa said the assailants attacked Yelewata after the troops moved to the other community.

“Because of the insider information, on the actual day that it (attack) happened, the troops were there,” the CDS said.

“There was a fake attack in the other village when the troops moved in; that is when they came to attack the other one. That is what happened.”

TheCable reached out to Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, for his comment on the memo, but he did not pick up his calls or respond to messages sent.

Onyinyechi Anele, director of army public relations, asked TheCabe to “speak to the commander” when she was contacted.

TheCable was unable to contact the DSS, as the agency has no known designated spokesperson and was yet to get in contact with Gara at the time of filing this report.

(TheCable)