National Leader of the Simplicity Movement, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, has condemned the mass killing of over 200 people in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, describing it as a national tragedy that must prompt urgent reform of Nigeria’s security system.

In a strongly worded statement released in the wake of the massacre and made available to *The Guardian*, Jackrich decried what he termed a “failure of foresight, coordination, and justice,” calling for decisive leadership and sweeping institutional reforms to prevent further bloodshed.

“The recent massacre in Yelewata is not just another security lapse, it is a searing indictment of our national security architecture,” he said. “Entire families have been wiped out, homes torched, and a community left shattered. Yet, as with so many similar tragedies, there appears to be no accountability, no justice, and no systemic change.”

Jackrich extended his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the people of Yelewata and Benue State. He warned, however, that words of sympathy would ring hollow without immediate and tangible action.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to take this tragedy as a defining moment for leadership, noting that Nigerians are watching closely, not just for compassion, but for a fundamental shift from a reactive to a preventive and transparent national security framework.

Referencing the recent admission by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, that certain military personnel may have compromised operations by leaking intelligence to armed groups, Jackrich said such disclosures demand immediate institutional response and accountability.

He also raised concern over viral videos circulating online that allegedly depict helicopters marked with police insignia delivering supplies to terrorists, as well as footage of security personnel in friendly interaction with known insurgents. While these materials have not been officially verified, Jackrich warned that the government’s silence on the matter is further damaging public trust.

As part of his call for action, he proposed a set of urgent measures, beginning with the establishment of an independent judicial inquiry into the Yelewata killings and similar attacks. This panel, he said, should be composed of respected jurists, security analysts, and civil society leaders, and its findings made public.

He also called for a nationwide audit of the intelligence services, stressing that Nigeria’s ability to prevent terrorist activity must be upgraded through a combination of technology and grassroots collaboration.

Jackrich advocated a deep institutional cleanse within the military and police, including a comprehensive review of field deployments and renewed emphasis on ethical conduct, accountability, and anti-corruption.

He emphasised the importance of empowering local communities through formalised early warning systems, community policing frameworks, and direct communication lines between rural leaders and regional security commands.

Furthermore, he called for the creation of a Federal Victim Support and Restoration Fund to assist the people of Yelewata and others affected by mass violence. Such a fund, he said, should go beyond compensation to include trauma support, rebuilding of homes, food security measures, and the restoration of livelihoods.

Finally, Jackrich urged President Tinubu to initiate a national security transparency framework, which would include regular public briefings and real-time updates to restore faith in the government’s capacity to protect its citizens.

“This moment demands courage, moral clarity, and the political will to act. Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are pleading for a government that listens, that acts, and that protects its people,” he said.

He added that the tragedy in Yelewata must not fade into another forgotten headline but should serve as a catalyst to reshape Nigeria’s future.