HERDSMEN KILLINGS, ATTACKS: ARMY CHIEF OLUYEDE RELOCATES TO BENUE WITH PRINCIPAL STAFF OFFICERS

In response to the relentless killings of innocent villagers in Benue State by suspected herdsmen and militia groups, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has temporarily relocated to Makurdi, the state capital, along with his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and senior personnel from Army Headquarters.

The persistent violence—marked by daily attacks, loss of lives, destruction of homes, and displacement of residents—has prompted the Army Chief to conduct an on-the-ground assessment and intensify military efforts in the region.

Sources revealed that General Oluyede departed Abuja on Tuesday morning with his team to take direct control of operations and oversee the deployment of additional troops aimed at confronting and neutralising the armed groups responsible for the terror in affected communities.

During his stay, the COAS will convene strategic meetings with operational and unit commanders to review ongoing military efforts, brainstorm new approaches, and bolster the effectiveness of field operations. He will also tour various military bases and frontline locations to interact with troops and boost their morale.

Part of his visit includes assessing villages recently attacked, reassuring the local population of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property, and delivering a strong message of hope and safety.

Disturbed by the escalating violence and the reports of daily massacres, General Oluyede is expected to announce strategic shifts, including the possible redeployment of certain commanders to take over key operational posts in the area. Significantly, he will also lead troops in combat operations personally, underscoring the seriousness of the mission.

He is expected to remain in Benue for several days before returning to the capital.

The latest wave of violence has led to claims of targeted ethnic cleansing, with attackers wielding sophisticated firearms and machetes. Just last weekend, suspected herdsmen killed 43 people in fresh assaults on communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas.

This follows closely on the heels of earlier attacks in Gwer West, where a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, was shot, and four communities—including the hometown of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe—were raided, leaving 42 people dead, among them a mobile police officer.