Speaking in an interview with Atlanta Discuss Channel, Utoo recounted the events of the attack, describing how local youths, together with the military detachment stationed in the area, successfully repelled the terrorists.
According to Utoo, the terrorist raid targeted the Yelwata community in 2022, causing panic among residents.
The military detachment, led by Staff Sergeant Kingsley, joined forces with local youths to defend the area.
The combined defense effort resulted in the deaths of 13 attackers, Utoo said.
“When these guys came to attack our community, Staff Sergeant Kingsley joined together with our youths to repel them,” Utoo explained.
“On that day, we killed 13 of these terrorists.”
The revelation came when three of the 13 killed attackers were found to be serving army officers.
Utoo said that their military ID cards were recovered from their pockets after they were killed.
He confirmed that the recovered ID cards were subsequently submitted to the 72 Special Forces Battalion in Makurdi for verification and further investigation.
“This was very shocking for everyone involved,” Utoo said.
“We never expected that some of the attackers would turn out to be part of our own military.”
The incident has raised concerns about insider threats within the military. While the details of any follow-up investigations have not been fully disclosed, the discovery has prompted calls for greater vigilance and accountability within Nigeria’s security forces.
Utoo praised the courage and resilience of the local youths, highlighting their critical role in defending the community alongside military personnel.
“Our youths were brave, and together with Staff Sergeant Kingsley, they protected the community and prevented further loss of life,” he said.
Security analysts say the presence of serving army officers among terrorists underscores the need for thorough screening and monitoring of personnel to prevent infiltration or collusion with criminal networks.
“It is a rare but serious issue when serving members of the armed forces participate in attacks against civilians,” one analyst commented.
“It threatens public trust and highlights gaps in internal oversight.”
Utoo’s account was shared in a video interview on Atlanta Discuss Channel, where he narrated the events of the attack.
The key revelation about the army IDs appears between 17:38 and 18:08 in the video.
The story has sparked discussions online about security lapses and community defense strategies, with many praising the bravery of ordinary residents who risked their lives to protect their community.
While the attack in Yelwata ended with 13 terrorists neutralized, the discovery of serving army officers among the attackers has intensified calls for internal military audits and stricter monitoring to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The 72 Special Forces Battalion in Makurdi is expected to continue investigations, and the community of Yelwata remains on alert, emphasizing the ongoing challenges of protecting vulnerable areas from both external and internal threats.
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