The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, has temporarily relocated his operational base to Makurdi, Benue State capital, in response to the escalating violence and killings by suspected herdsmen in the region.
Lt-Gen Oluyede departed Abuja on Tuesday morning accompanied by his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other top military officials to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation that has deteriorated in recent weeks.
The Army Chief has ordered additional troop deployments to the state to combat militia groups and armed individuals terrorizing local communities. During his stay, he is expected to hold strategic meetings with operational and unit commanders to review ongoing security operations and develop more effective strategies to end the violence.
Recent Attacks
The relocation comes in the wake of last weekend's attacks where gunmen killed 43 people in several communities across Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State. These attacks occurred barely a week after another series of violent incidents where 42 people, including a mobile police officer, were killed, and Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo was shot along the Makurdi-Naka road.
The violence has been described by many as ethnic cleansing, with gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacking villages using sophisticated weapons and machetes. The ongoing attacks have resulted in numerous casualties, injuries, and the destruction of homes, leaving many residents homeless.
Army's Response
As part of his mission in Benue, Lt-Gen Oluyede will visit troops' locations and operational bases to interact with soldiers and boost their morale. He is also scheduled to visit affected villages to reassure residents of their safety and reaffirm the Nigerian Army's commitment to protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
The COAS's relocation to Benue represents a significant escalation in the military's response to the security challenges in the state, signaling the seriousness with which the Army views the ongoing crisis.
The incessant attacks have raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing security measures in the state, with calls from various quarters for more decisive action to protect vulnerable communities from further violence.
