Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede has moved to Makurdi to personally oversee military operations against militia attacks.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi, Benue State’s capital, amid escalating killings by herders and militia groups. The attacks, described as ethnic cleansing, have left many dead, injured, and displaced, with homes burnt across several villages. Lt Gen Oluyede departed Abuja on Tuesday with Principal Staff Officers and senior Army Headquarters personnel to assess the situation on the ground.
Sources disclosed that the COAS has ordered the deployment of additional troops to confront armed groups terrorizing the state. He will hold strategic meetings with operational commanders to review ongoing efforts and plan future actions. The COAS is also set to visit affected villages to reassure residents and boost troop morale.
Last weekend, gunmen killed 43 persons in renewed attacks on Gwer West and Apa LGAs. Lt Gen Oluyede is reportedly dissatisfied with the recent reports and may reshuffle commanders to intensify military operations before returning to Abuja.