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

It was gathered that Lt Gen Oluyede, accompanied by his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other top officers at the Army Headquarters departed Abuja on Tuesday morning, to assess the situation on the ground.

Sources further said the army chief has ordered the deployment of more troops to the state to give the militia and other armed groups terrorizing the people of the state the battle of their lives.

According to resident sources speaking to vanguard, the COAS will hold strategic meetings with all operational and unit commanders to brainstorm on the way forward as well as review the ongoing operations with a view to end the killings.

The COAS will visit troops’ locations and operational bases in the state to interact with troops and boost their morale and fighting spirit.

He is also expected to visit villages that have been attacked and reassure residents of their safety and the resolve of the Nigerian army to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.

The COAS is said to be unhappy with reports of daily killings in Benue that have ravaged the state in the past few weeks and may order some strategic changes, including the redeployment of some commanders to head some of the operational units on ground.

General Oluyede, while in the state, will personally lead troops in the operation on the battlefront. He is expected to spend some days in the state before relocating back to Abuja.

Vanguard.

This is coming after the sudden attack on Benue State resulted to the loss of 43 lives while many were injured and receiving treatment.

However, the army Chief of staff thought it wise, according to the report, to seek his safety by leaving the state to the capital city.

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