Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has made a bold move. He is now in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, in direct response to the relentless attacks on villagers by herders and militia groups.
The violence is no longer occasional, it has become a routine. Every fresh attack leaves behind dead bodies, injured survivors, and razed homes. Entire families now live in fear or in ruins.
On Tuesday morning, Lt Gen Oluyede left Abuja. He wasn’t alone, His Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other senior personnel at Army Headquarters joined him, all headed to Benue for a firsthand look at the crisis.
Insiders say he wasted no time. More troops have been ordered into the state, with a clear mandate: give the militia and other armed groups terrorising the people of the state the battle of their lives.
While in Benue, the COAS will meet with operational and unit commanders. The goal is sharp brainstorm on the way forward and review the ongoing operations with a view to end the killings.
He is also scheduled to visit troops at their locations and bases. This isn’t just routine inspection. He wants to interact with them, boost their morale and fighting spirit.
There is more, he will head to the devastated villages, speak to residents, and reassure them of their safety and the resolve of the Nigerian army to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
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Sources say the COAS is livid over the stream of bloody reports coming from Benue.
He is not just reacting, he is likely to roll out strategic changes, including the redeployment of some commanders to head some of the operational units on ground.
This is not an office-bound general. While in the state, General Oluyede will personally lead troops in the operation on the battlefront. He is expected to stay for a few days before returning to Abuja.
The scale of the violence is hard to ignore. Many see it as ethnic cleansing. Suspected herdsmen have turned guns and machetes on villages, killing at will.
Recall that last weekend alone, 43 lives were lost during brutal raids on Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs).
And the week before, A priest, Rev. Fr Solomon Atongo, was shot along the Makurdi-Naka road.
Four communities in Gwer West were attacked. Among the victims, 42 people, including a mobile police officer. Even the hometown of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe was not spared.
Benue is under siege. And now, the army chief is on the ground.