Army Chief Oluyede Relocates To Benue With PSOs Amid Herdsmen Attacks

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in response to the frequent killings of innocent villagers by herders and militia groups.

These attacks, which have become almost daily occurrences, have resulted in many deaths, numerous injuries and maimings, and the destruction of several homes, leaving many people homeless.

Vanguard reports that Lt. Gen. Oluyede left Abuja on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other senior officers from Army Headquarters, to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the state.

Sources reveal that the army chief has ordered the deployment of additional troops to Benue to confront the militia and armed groups terrorizing the local population.

While in Benue, the COAS will hold strategic meetings with operational and unit commanders to brainstorm solutions and review ongoing operations aimed at ending the killings.

He is also scheduled to visit troop locations and operational bases to engage with soldiers, boosting their morale and fighting spirit.

Furthermore, the COAS will visit villages that have suffered attacks to reassure residents of their safety and affirm the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.

Reports indicate that General Oluyede is displeased with the daily killings that have devastated Benue over recent weeks and may implement strategic changes, including redeploying some commanders to lead certain operational units on the ground.

During his stay, the General will personally lead troops on the front lines and is expected to remain in the state for several days before returning to Abuja.

The attacks in Benue have been widely described as ethnic cleansing, with gunmen suspected to be herders carrying out brutal assaults using sophisticated firearms and machetes.

Last weekend alone, gunmen killed 43 people in renewed attacks on multiple communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State.

These attacks came less than a week after herdsmen militia shot Rev. Fr Solomon Atongo along the Makurdi-Naka road and attacked four communities in Gwer West LGA, including the village of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, where 42 people, including a mobile police officer, were killed.