NCAMKI to Military: “Demanding Accountability Is Not Undermining National Security”

The National Coalition Against Mass Killings and Impunity (NCAMKI), a civil society group under the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG), has responded firmly to the Defence Headquarters’ denial of alleged remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, in the wake of the recent Yelwata massacre in Benue State.

In a statement titled “Defending Truth Is Not Undermining the Military”, NCAMKI reiterated its earlier stance, insisting that its original commentary, headlined “CDS: Stop Blaming the Victims”, was based on widely reported media coverage—not fabrication or distortion.

The group’s response follows a sharp rebuttal from the Defence Headquarters, which accused NCAMKI of undermining the military and national security by reacting to comments allegedly made by Gen. Musa, in which he appeared to blame local communities for the insecurity in Benue State. The military has since denied the CDS made such remarks.

Yelwata Massacre: A National Tragedy

The Yelwata community, located in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, was the target of a brutal assault last week by suspected armed herdsmen. The attack reportedly left over 200 civilians dead and displaced thousands, drawing renewed national attention to the ongoing security crisis in Nigeria’s North Central region.

Following the tragedy, several media outlets reported that General Musa attributed the persistent violence in the region to local communities. These reports sparked outrage from civil society groups and citizens alike, leading NCAMKI to issue a strongly worded statement demanding accountability and sensitivity from the country’s top military leadership.

“Not an Attack, But a Civic Duty”

In its Wednesday statement, NCAMKI dismissed the Defence Headquarters’ accusation that its critique constituted a threat to national security.

“Calling for accountability, justice, and sensitivity in public communication is not an attack on the Armed Forces,” the coalition said. “It is an act of responsible citizenship. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, especially when it concerns issues of mass killings and national security failures.”

NCAMKI emphasized that it would welcome any official transcript or recording that proves the media reports were inaccurate or taken out of context. However, the group argued that the military’s attempt to shift blame to civil society instead of addressing the substance of the claims only undermines public trust.

“If the CDS was misquoted, it is the responsibility of the Defence Headquarters to correct the record at the source—not scapegoat those who reacted in good faith,” the coalition said.

Core Demands and Principles

Reaffirming its commitment to justice and democratic accountability, NCAMKI outlined its core demands:

• An official clarification from the Defence Headquarters backed by verifiable evidence, if the CDS was misquoted

• Immediate humanitarian support and protection for Yelwata survivors

• A transparent investigation into the massacre

• A respectful and cooperative relationship between security agencies and affected communities

• An end to rhetoric that dehumanizes or blames victims of violence

“The pain of Yelwata cannot be brushed aside by denials and counter-accusations,” the group said, urging the federal government and security agencies to avoid turning a national tragedy into an institutional ego contest.

“We Are Allies of Justice”

NCAMKI concluded its statement by invoking the legacy of its patron, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, a renowned human rights advocate.

“We are not enemies of the state. We are allies of justice. We hold no weapons—only the truth. And we will continue to speak it boldly, in the spirit of Gani Fawehinmi, for whom silence in the face of injustice was never an option.”

“To demand accountability is not an act of rebellion. It is the foundation of any civilized democracy.”