In response to recent deadly attacks across several communities in Benue State, Major General Moses Gara, Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), conducted an on-site assessment of affected areas on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
General Gara visited multiple locations including Yelwata Village, Tse-Mtwenem, Daudu, and Iye Village, which have been devastated by brutal attacks in recent days. According to a statement from Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS Headquarters, the visit formed part of the military's comprehensive response to escalating violence in the region.
Military Pledges Action Against Perpetrators
During meetings with traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents, General Gara condemned the attacks as "barbaric and unacceptable" and assured communities of the military's commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice.
"Today, I stand not just as a Commander, but as a fellow Nigerian who understands your pain and suffering. The Nigerian security establishment is with you. We are not here to observe; we are here to act. We will pursue the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and ensure they face justice," General Gara stated.
The Commander expressed condolences to bereaved families and commended troops working under challenging conditions to protect lives and property in the affected areas.
Enhanced Security Measures
General Gara revealed that OPWS has intensified intelligence gathering efforts and deployed additional personnel to identified flashpoints across the state. However, he emphasized that military intervention alone cannot resolve the crisis without community cooperation.
He urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent future attacks and facilitate the apprehension of those responsible for the violence.
Community Response
Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Mr. Iorkyaa Emmanuel welcomed the military's intervention, describing General Gara's visit as a significant morale boost for villagers who have been living in fear.
Emmanuel pledged the community's full support for military operations and called for consistent security presence, particularly in remote areas that have been most vulnerable to attacks.
The recent violence in Benue State has displaced numerous families and raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria's Middle Belt region, which has long been plagued by farmer-herder conflicts and other forms of communal violence.
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