The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, visited Benue State on Tuesday to address escalating insecurity following a series of deadly attacks by armed herders and militias. During his visit, he held a private meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.
In a statement posted on his X account, Governor Alia said Oluyede’s visit signals a bold step toward restoring peace. The COAS has ordered the immediate deployment of additional troops, plans to meet with field commanders, and will visit affected communities to assess the situation firsthand and boost troop morale.
Alia praised the Army’s swift response, stating, “Our people deserve protection, justice, and peace.” He also urged residents to remain calm, support security efforts, and provide credible information to aid operations.
The visit comes after fresh attacks in Gwer West and Apa LGAs, where 33 people were feared killed over the weekend. In Naka, Gwer West, 17 bodies were recovered following a Sunday night assault, while 16 more were killed in Edikwu and Ankpali communities in Apa.
Many residents remain missing, with headcounts ongoing and hundreds now displaced, relying on local police and vigilantes for protection in temporary shelters.
