By peterside Rejoice Eneky
Amid escalating violence in Benue State, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi to directly coordinate military efforts in curbing the wave of killings attributed to suspected herdsmen and armed militia groups.
Premier News gathered that General Oluyede departed Abuja early Tuesday morning, accompanied by a team of Principal Staff Officers and other top brass from Army Headquarters.
His visit aims to provide an on-the-ground assessment of the deteriorating security situation and oversee intensified military operations in the region.
Sources within military circles confirmed that the Army Chief has ordered immediate reinforcement of troops across vulnerable communities. He is also expected to convene critical strategy sessions with operational commanders to review tactics and potentially restructure ongoing missions in order to effectively neutralize threats to civilian life.
Over recent weeks, dozens of residents in communities across Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas have been killed in a series of brutal attacks. Last weekend alone, at least 43 people lost their lives. This came just days after another incident in which a Catholic priest was shot and several villages were raided.
The Army Chief, who is visibly dismayed by the scale and frequency of the violence, is reportedly considering a reshuffle of commanding officers in affected zones. While in the state, he will visit both frontline troops and affected communities to boost morale and reassure residents of the military’s commitment to restoring peace.
“The COAS intends to lead some of the field operations personally,” a senior military source told Premier News. “He’s not just reviewing strategy from afar he’s showing leadership by example.”
Local observers and civil society groups have described the ongoing violence as ethnically targeted and have repeatedly called for stronger and more coordinated security interventions.
Some have likened the attacks to a form of ethnic cleansing, as armed assailants often use sophisticated weapons to invade and raze villages.
General Oluyede is expected to remain in Benue for several days before returning to the capital. His presence, military officials believe, will send a strong message to both the assailants and the communities under siege.
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