The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has temporarily moved his base of operations to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in response to a wave of violent attacks and killings blamed on herdsmen and armed militias in the region.
General Oluyede arrived in Benue on Tuesday morning from Abuja. He was joined by his Principal Staff Officers and other high-ranking army officials. Their mission is to get firsthand information on the ground and take urgent actions to tackle the worsening security situation.
The move comes after multiple deadly attacks on rural communities in the state. Many villages have been left in ruins, with several homes burned to the ground. Residents continue to mourn the deaths of loved ones, while others are recovering from injuries or seeking refuge after being displaced.
A military source noted that the army chief has directed the deployment of additional troops to areas affected by the violence. These reinforcements are expected to boost ongoing military efforts and push back the armed groups responsible for the unrest.
While in the state, General Oluyede is scheduled to hold meetings with key commanders leading the army’s operations in Benue. These sessions will involve reviewing current strategies, addressing challenges, and making decisions on new steps to halt the killings.
The army chief is also expected to visit frontline troops to hear directly from them, assess their needs, and lift their spirits during this difficult assignment. He will tour operational camps and interact with officers involved in combat roles to better understand the situation they face.
Additionally, Oluyede will travel to villages that have suffered attacks. During these visits, he plans to speak with residents, reassure them of the army’s commitment to protecting them, and listen to their concerns.
According to sources, the General is disturbed by the rising number of casualties and may introduce some changes within the command structure. This could involve shifting key officers to new roles to strengthen leadership in sensitive areas.
Over the past few weeks, Benue has been plagued by violence that many describe as targeted and brutal. Just last weekend, 43 people were reportedly killed in separate attacks in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas.
This happened shortly after another tragic incident where armed men shot a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr Solomon Atongo, and attacked multiple villages, resulting in more than 40 deaths, including a police officer.
