COAS Rallies Benue Monarchs, Deploys Fresh Troops to Crush Criminal Networks
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has intensified military operations in Benue State, pledging decisive action to flush out criminal elements destabilising communities across the North Central region.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu made the commitment on Wednesday during a strategic operational tour of Benue State and the wider theatre, which included a visit to traditional rulers at their palaces.
The engagement, he said, forms part of a renewed and coordinated push by the Nigerian Army to consolidate peace in Benue and contiguous states.
The Army Chief disclosed that the tour featured a comprehensive assessment of Operation WHIRL STROKE and the 401 Special Forces Brigade, both headquartered in Makurdi, with a view to recalibrating ongoing operations for enhanced impact.
He reaffirmed the Army’s resolve to dismantle armed groups and criminal networks threatening lives and livelihoods across Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
Addressing the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo, and other monarchs, the COAS stressed that beyond kinetic operations, the moral authority and grassroots influence of traditional institutions are critical to sustainable peace.
“Security is a shared responsibility,” Shaibu stated. “While the Armed Forces will continue to apply decisive force against enemies of the state, enduring stability can only be achieved when communities reject violence, refuse to shield criminals and actively support lawful authority.”
Read Also:
He noted that Makurdi remains a strategic military hub, hosting elite formations whose lineage dates back to the 72 Special Forces Battalion and now the 401 Special Forces Brigade. He explained that Operation WHIRL STROKE was established to harmonise the capabilities of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force in responding swiftly and effectively to emerging threats in the Middle Belt.
To reinforce ongoing clearance and stabilisation efforts, the COAS announced an increase in troop density along vulnerable corridors, particularly the Benue–Taraba axis, including the deployment of an additional battalion. Logistics support, surveillance assets and rapid response capabilities, he added, have been significantly enhanced to protect farming communities and secure key routes.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu emphasised the importance of intelligence-driven operations, early warning mechanisms and sustained community engagement to prevent reprisals and break the cycle of violence. With the general elections approaching, he assured citizens that proactive measures are in place to deter criminal actors and guarantee a secure environment for the exercise of civic rights.
In his remarks, the Tor Tiv commended the Nigerian Army for its resilience and sacrifices amid persistent security challenges. While acknowledging improvements in civil-military relations, he expressed concern over recurring attacks in border communities and urged the adoption of more preventive security strategies.
The monarch underscored the need to integrate grassroots intelligence into operational planning, noting that traditional rulers often receive early warning signals of impending threats.
He advocated structured collaboration between security agencies and traditional institutions to counter misinformation, build public trust and strengthen community confidence in ongoing operations. The Och’Idoma, who was out of the state on official engagement, sent goodwill messages and words of encouragement to the troops.
The visit signals a strengthened partnership between the Nigerian Army and traditional leadership in Benue State, reflecting a comprehensive strategy that blends robust military action with credible intelligence, community mobilisation and strategic communication to restore lasting peace across the North Central region.