The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has temporarily relocated to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in response to the ongoing wave of violent attacks by suspected herdsmen and militia groups on innocent villagers.

The near-daily assaults have resulted in numerous fatalities, many more injured or permanently maimed, and widespread destruction of homes, leaving hundreds displaced.

According to Vanguard, General Oluyede departed Abuja on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other senior officials from Army Headquarters, to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of the crisis.

Sources revealed that the Army Chief has ordered the immediate deployment of additional troops to the state, with clear instructions to decisively confront and dismantle the armed groups responsible for the violence.

During his visit, Lt. Gen. Oluyede is expected to convene strategic meetings with operational and unit commanders to evaluate the current situation, review ongoing military operations, and chart a more effective course to halt the killings.

He will also visit military bases and frontline locations to engage directly with troops, aiming to boost morale and reinforce their commitment to the mission. Additionally, he plans to tour affected communities to reassure residents of the Army’s resolve to protect their lives and properties.

Reports suggest the COAS is deeply disturbed by the scale and frequency of the attacks, which have plagued the state for weeks. In response, he may implement strategic adjustments, including the redeployment of some commanders to enhance operational effectiveness.

General Oluyede is also expected to personally lead troops in some frontline operations and will remain in the state for several days before returning to Abuja.

It is worth recalling that the attacks in Benue have been widely condemned and described by many as a form of ethnic cleansing. Armed assailants, believed to be herdsmen, have allegedly carried out these brutal assaults using sophisticated firearms and machetes, targeting rural communities.