The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, over the incessant killings of innocent villagers by herders and militia groups.
The killing, which has become almost a daily occurrence, has left many dead, several others injured and maimed, with several houses burnt, leaving many homeless.
ait.live gathered that Lt Gen Oluyede departed Abuja early this Tuesday morning, accompanied by his Principal Staff Officers ande other top officers at the Army Headquarters, to the State to have an on-the-spot assessment of the situation on the ground.
Sources further said the Army chief has ordered the deployment of more troops to Benue State to give the militia and other armed groups terrorising the people of the State the battle of their lives.
While in Benue State, the Chief of Army Staff will hold strategic meetings with all operational and unit commanders to brainstorm on the way forward as well as review the ongoing operations with a view to end the killings.
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The COAS will also visit troops’ locations and operational bases in the State to interact with them and boost their morale and fighting spirit.
He s also expected to visit villages that have been attacked and reassure residents of their safety and the resolve of the Nigerian Army to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
It would be recalled that the attacks in Benue have been described as ethnic cleansing by many, as gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have embarked on a killing spree, attacking villagers in their villages using sophisticated guns and machetes.
It is believed that over 300 people have been killed in the last two months, with the latest taking place this past weekend.
State Governor Hyacinth Alia, who confirmed the latest attacks after a security meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, said 12 people were killed in Apa Local Government Area, while 11 bodies were recovered in Gwer West Local Council, with critically injured others in the hospitals.
And just last Saturday, 14 traders traveling on the Benue Links bus were kidnapped along the Owukpa road in the Benue South senatorial district; their whereabouts are still unknown.
It is now hoped that the presence of the Chief of Army Staff in the state will see a new post for the restoration of relative security within the State.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
