Army Chief, Oluyede Storms Benue Over Unending Bloodletting by Herdsmen, Militias
In a bid to quell the rising tide of bloodshed, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, has embarked on an emergency visit to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State.
The move comes amidst a surge in deadly attacks by herders and militia groups, which have left a trail of devastation in their wake.
The situation on the ground has been described as dire, with reports of daily assaults resulting in significant loss of lives, injuries, and widespread destruction of property.
The latest wave of violence has seen numerous communities bear the brunt of these attacks, with many residents forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
General Oluyede’s visit is aimed at conducting a thorough assessment of the situation and devising a comprehensive strategy to restore peace and stability to the troubled region.
The army chief is accompanied by his top aides, including Principal Staff Officers, and other senior officials from the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Upon arrival, General Oluyede is expected to engage in a series of high-level meetings with operational and unit commanders to review the current security landscape and explore avenues for improvement.
The discussions will focus on bolstering the military’s response to the crisis, with a view to putting an end to the incessant killings and restoring a sense of security among the local population.
As part of his itinerary, General Oluyede will also visit troops deployed in the state, with the aim of boosting their morale and reaffirming the army’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens. The COAS will also pay visits to affected communities, where he will offer reassurances to residents and demonstrate the military’s resolve to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.
The recent spate of violence in Benue State has been characterized by some as a form of ethnic cleansing, with gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, unleashing terror on unsuspecting villagers using sophisticated weaponry and machetes.
The attacks have resulted in significant human suffering, with the latest incident claiming the lives of 43 people in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas.
