Army Chief Oluyede Moves to Makurdi Amid Surge in Herdsmen and Militia Attacks in Benue

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in response to the relentless killings of innocent villagers by herders and militia groups.

The violence, now occurring almost daily, has resulted in numerous deaths, injuries, and destruction of property, leaving many families homeless. According to reliable sources, Lt. Gen. Oluyede left Abuja on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other senior officers from the Army Headquarters, to conduct a firsthand assessment of the security situation in Benue.

Insiders reveal that the army chief has instructed the deployment of additional troops to the state to confront the militias and armed groups terrorizing the local population. In Benue, he is set to convene strategic meetings with operational and unit commanders to evaluate current operations and devise effective measures to halt the killings.

Lt. Gen. Oluyede will also visit military bases and troop locations across the state to engage with soldiers, boost their morale, and strengthen their resolve. Furthermore, he plans to tour communities recently attacked to reassure residents of the army’s commitment to safeguarding their lives and properties.

Frustrated by the continuous bloodshed, the COAS may implement strategic changes, including redeploying commanders to better manage operations on the ground. During his stay, he will personally lead troops in ongoing military efforts and is expected to remain in Benue for several days before returning to Abuja.

The attacks, widely condemned as ethnic cleansing, have seen gunmen—believed to be herders—launch brutal assaults on villages using advanced firearms and machetes. Just last weekend, 43 people were killed in renewed attacks across multiple communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State.

This latest violence follows an earlier incident less than a week prior, where herdsmen militia shot a priest, Rev. Fr Solomon Atongo, along the Makurdi-Naka road and attacked four communities in Gwer West LGA, including the village of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe. These attacks resulted in 42 deaths, including that of a mobile police officer.