NAOSNP Calls for Overhaul of Nigeria’s Security Architecture Following Benue Massacre
Lagos, Nigeria – June 19, 2025
In the wake of the recent massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has issued a strong call for the complete overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, citing systemic failures in intelligence gathering, coordination, and proactive policing.
In a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Eric Elezuo, and quoting the National President, Comrade Oki Samson, the association decried the escalating wave of violence across Nigeria, particularly the tragic killing of over 200 people in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, in Yelwata, a farming community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
NAOSNP described the attack — believed to have been carried out by heavily armed assailants suspected to be herdsmen — as part of a disturbing pattern of targeted killings sweeping through central Nigeria, including Plateau and parts of Imo State. The association blamed the continued bloodshed on Nigeria’s failure to adopt intelligence-led security operations and its persistent overreliance on reactive measures.
"Despite record-breaking budget allocations for national security, including ₦6.11 trillion in the 2025 budget — the highest in Nigeria’s history — the results on the ground are abysmally poor,” the statement read. “The system is clearly broken. What we need now is a total reengineering of the security framework — one that prioritizes intelligence, accountability, and the sanctity of Nigerian lives.”
While acknowledging the courage of frontline soldiers and the efforts of some security personnel, NAOSNP argued that these successes are not translating into sustainable peace or protection for citizens. The association raised critical questions about the efficiency of the country’s intelligence network:
“Who are the attackers? How do they move in such large numbers undetected? What is the purpose of the National Identity Number (NIN) system if it cannot track communication and movement of individuals within our borders?”
NAOSNP further criticized the repeated use of generic “we condemn” statements by political and security leaders following attacks, labeling them “ineffective and tone-deaf”.
“It is time to move beyond condemnation and condolence visits. These rituals have never prevented further attacks, nor have they brought justice. Nigerians are tired of empty words. What we need now is action, accountability, and visible deterrence,” the association said.
The association also referenced Amnesty International’s report on the killing of 30 travelers and the burning of 20 vehicles in Imo State in May 2025, noting that no arrests have been made to date — a situation it says has emboldened criminal groups.
NAOSNP called on all security agencies — from the military to the police, DSS, NSCDC, Customs, Immigration, and the Intelligence Unit — to urgently close ranks and prioritize citizen safety over bureaucratic grandstanding.
“We join the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in describing the Yelwata killings as ‘one attack too many’. The time for speeches is over. This is a moment for national reawakening. Security agencies must act decisively or risk further erosion of public trust.”
As part of its recommendations, NAOSNP urged the Federal Government to:
Conduct a full audit of all security spending and operations;
Establish a central intelligence coordination unit with real-time response capabilities;
Hold commanders accountable for lapses under their jurisdiction; and
Ensure transparent investigation and prosecution of all cases of mass violence.
“This is not just about Benue. This is about the future of Nigeria,” the statement concluded. “Enough is enough.”
