Makurdi, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oloyede, has temporarily relocated to Benue State in central Nigeria to address escalating security challenges. The move follows a surge in attacks and killings attributed to armed herders in the state.
The COAS arrived at the Government House in Makurdi at approximately 1:35 pm local time and immediately entered a closed-door meeting with the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, which concluded around 2:45 pm. Gen. Oloyede did not address the media or other state officials during his visit.
However, Governor Alia later briefed the Benue Traditional Council and state security council members on the purpose of the army chief’s visit. According to the governor, the COAS conveyed a “message of hope” to the people of Benue in the face of what he described as “renewed unprovoked attacks.”
Governor Alia also stated that Gen. Oloyede extended condolences over the recent killings and offered assurances of the Federal Government’s plans to address the security situation. The governor further disclosed that the death toll from recent incidents in Apa and Gwer West local government areas had risen to 33 as of Tuesday morning.
The governor also held a separate closed-door meeting with prominent traditional rulers, including the Tor-Tiv, Prof. James Ayaste, and the Och’idoma, John Eliagwu (represented by Chief George Edeh), along with the state’s Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the State Director of the State Security Service.
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