The North Central Youth Development and Peace Agenda has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces over what it described as improved security conditions in Benue State and other parts of the North Central region.

The group attributed the reported improvement to sustained military operations and stronger coordination among security agencies, particularly under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.

In a statement issued by its representative, Ambassador Marcus Adams Odoba, the organisation cited recent operations under Operation Whirl Stroke as evidence of progress in the fight against insecurity in the region.

It said troops rescued seven kidnapped victims in Ohimini Local Government Area and neutralised suspected kidnappers in Katsina-Ala, where weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

The group also highlighted operations in Guma Local Government Area, where it said a Special Intervention Battalion had helped maintain relative calm for several months and facilitated the return of more than 1,000 internally displaced persons to their communities.

Odoba said the combination of military operations and engagement with local communities had contributed to the reported security gains, allowing some families to return to their ancestral homes.

The organisation further pointed to additional troop deployments, improved inter-agency coordination and plans to establish a new military division covering Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states as measures expected to strengthen security operations in the region.

It said the initiatives, alongside directives from the Presidency, had contributed to a reduction in violent incidents in some communities previously affected by attacks.