The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, has officially relocated to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in response to the rising wave of killings by herdsmen and armed militias.
This move follows a series of deadly attacks across Benue communities, with dozens of villagers killed and homes destroyed in what many have described as ethnic cleansing.
Oluyede, who departed Abuja on Tuesday with his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other top-ranking military officials, stated that the deployment is aimed at curbing the incessant killings and restoring peace in the affected areas.
“We are here to assess the situation firsthand and put an end to the senseless killings of innocent citizens,” he stated.
Deployment of More Troops
The Army Chief has ordered the immediate deployment of additional troops to Benue to launch coordinated operations against killer herdsmen and armed militias.
Oluyede is also expected to:
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Hold strategic meetings with field commanders.
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Review current military operations in the state.
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Visit attacked villages and boost troop morale.
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Reassure residents of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Recent Attacks
Last weekend alone, 43 villagers were killed in fresh attacks on communities in Gwer West and Apa LGAs. Just days earlier, another 42 lives were lost in a similar massacre, including that of a mobile police officer.
At the same time, Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo was shot by suspected herdsmen on the Makurdi-Naka Road.
Several of the attacked communities include the hometown of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe.
As killings continue unabated, residents and observers are calling for urgent and sustained military intervention to stop what is increasingly being described as a deliberate campaign of terror.
