COAS Oluyede Relocates to Makurdi Amid Surge in Benue Killings
Army Chief Deploys More Troops, Plans Strategic Shake-Up
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in response to a spate of relentless killings by suspected herders and militia groups. The violence, which has claimed dozens of lives and displaced hundreds, has sparked nationwide outrage and intensified calls for federal intervention.
Lt Gen Oluyede left Abuja on Tuesday morning with key members of his high command, including Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and top army headquarters personnel, for an emergency on-the-ground assessment in Benue.
Massive Deployment Ordered to Counter Armed Groups
A top military source confirmed to thewatch.ng news that the Army Chief has ordered the immediate deployment of additional troops to Benue. The goal, according to insiders, is to decisively confront and neutralize armed groups wreaking havoc in rural communities.
“The COAS is not just responding symbolically. He plans to lead from the front and oversee tactical shifts that will strengthen the army’s effectiveness on the ground,” the source said.
Strategic Meetings, Village Visits Planned
While in Benue, General Oluyede is expected to convene high-level strategy meetings with operational commanders to reassess the army’s approach and enhance response capabilities. He will also tour military bases and deployment points to directly engage with troops, boost morale, and assess logistics.
Additionally, the COAS will visit villages recently affected by attacks to reassure residents of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property. He is also expected to meet with local stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders, to improve intelligence gathering and civilian-military cooperation.
Command Reshuffle Likely as Army Intensifies Response
Sources say Lt Gen Oluyede is displeased with recent reports of continued attacks despite the army’s presence in the region and may announce command-level changes. A strategic reshuffle of officers currently heading key units in Benue is under consideration.
The Army Chief is expected to remain in Benue for several days to personally coordinate the response before returning to Abuja.
Deadly Attacks Spark Alarm Over Ethnic Tensions
43 Killed in Gwer West and Apa LGAs
The COAS’s relocation comes on the heels of yet another wave of brutal attacks. Over the weekend, at least 43 people were killed in coordinated assaults across Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas. These attacks occurred just days after a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, was shot by suspected herders along the Makurdi–Naka road.
Four communities in Gwer West one being the home village of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, were also attacked last week, resulting in at least 42 additional deaths, including a mobile police officer.
Observers Decry ‘Ethnic Cleansing’
Human rights advocates and local leaders have repeatedly described the violence as an act of ethnic cleansing, pointing to the deliberate targeting of farming communities by gunmen using high-calibre firearms and machetes. The cycle of violence has displaced thousands, many of whom now live in camps or makeshift shelters without adequate protection or relief.
