In response to the escalating violence in Benue State, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi, the state capital, to take direct command of military operations aimed at curbing the killings of innocent villagers by suspected herdsmen and militia groups.
General Oluyede arrived in Makurdi on Tuesday, accompanied by top military officials from Army Headquarters in Abuja, following weeks of deadly attacks that have left dozens dead, many injured, and several communities devastated.
The COAS is in the state to assess the security situation first-hand and is expected to hold high-level meetings with operational and unit commanders to review ongoing strategies and devise more effective approaches to halt the bloodshed.
As part of his visit, General Oluyede will tour troop locations and operational bases across affected areas, offering direct encouragement to soldiers on the ground and boosting their morale.
He is also scheduled to visit communities affected by the violence, offering reassurances to residents and affirming the army’s commitment to protecting their lives and property.
Sources say the Army Chief is deeply disturbed by the persistent wave of killings, which have been described by many as ethnic cleansing, targeting rural communities with sophisticated weapons and machetes.
In response, the COAS is considering a shake-up of military leadership in the region, including the reassignment of key commanders to strengthen frontline operations. Notably, he is expected to personally lead and oversee military engagements while in the state.
His stay in Benue is expected to last several days.
This decisive move follows recent attacks in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas, where at least 43 people were killed over the weekend. Just a week earlier, herdsmen reportedly shot Rev. Fr Solomon Atongo and attacked four communities, including the hometown of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, killing 42 people, including a mobile police officer.
The military’s intensified response under the direct watch of the Army Chief marks a critical turning point in the federal government’s effort to restore peace and order in Benue State.
