Chief Of Army Staff Relocates To Benue To Tackle Escalating Wave Of Killings.
Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has relocated to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in a decisive move to address the relentless wave of killings by suspected herders and militia groups. The deployment, announced on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, comes amid growing concern over the security crisis that has claimed numerous lives, left many injured, and displaced countless residents across the state.
Lt Gen Oluyede, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and senior personnel from Army Headquarters, arrived in Benue on Tuesday morning to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. Military sources confirmed to journalists that the army chief has ordered the immediate deployment of additional troops and logistics to bolster operations against the armed groups terrorising communities. The move underscores the Nigerian Army’s resolve to restore peace and protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
Upon arrival, the COAS held a closed-door meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi. Governor Alia, briefing traditional and security councils afterwards, described the visit as a “message of hope” for the people of Benue. He noted that Lt Gen Oluyede conveyed condolences from the federal government and assured intensified efforts to halt the bloodshed. “The COAS has come not only to assess the situation personally but to take decisive action,” the governor stated in a post on his X handle on Tuesday evening.
A review of incidents between 1 April and 1 June 2025 reveals a staggering toll, with at least 270 lives lost across 10 local government areas (LGAs), according to reports. The most recent attacks, on 1 June, claimed 43 lives in Gwer West and Apa LGAs alone, marking one of the deadliest days in recent memory. The Sankera axis, encompassing Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum LGAs, recorded 83 fatalities in a five-day spree from 17 to 21 April. In Otukpo LGA, 16 people were killed between 4 April and 7 May. Local sources suggest the true death toll may be higher, as attacks in remote villages often go unreported.
During his stay, Lt Gen Oluyede is expected to hold strategic meetings with operational and unit commanders to review ongoing efforts and devise new strategies to end the violence. He will also visit troops at forward operating bases and interact with soldiers to boost morale and reinforce their fighting spirit. Additionally, the army chief plans to tour affected communities, such as Tse-Antswam in Gwer West and Edikwu-Ankpali in Apa, to reassure residents of the military’s commitment to their safety.
The Benue State Police Command has also stepped up its response, deploying tactical teams to Apa and Gwer West LGAs. Commissioner of Police Emenari Ifeanyi has relocated the Area Commander to Apa, while a tactical unit has taken over operations in Naka, the Gwer West LGA headquarters, according to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet.
Governor Alia, in a heartfelt Facebook post, condemned the killings, confirming the loss of 23 lives—12 in Apa and 11 in Gwer West. “These killings are unacceptable. I have ordered joint forces to sweep the affected areas and restore peace. We will not fold our arms while our people are slaughtered,” he vowed. Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) echoed this urgency, describing the situation as a “slide toward anarchy” and welcoming the COAS’s intervention as a timely step to stem the tide of violence.
The relocation of Lt Gen Oluyede to Benue signals a robust military response to a crisis that has drawn accusations of ethnic cleansing, with gunmen reportedly using sophisticated weapons to attack villages. As the army chief leads from the front, residents and leaders alike hope this bold action will bring lasting peace to a state long plagued by insecurity.
