Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has announced the Nigerian Army’s decisive action to increase troop deployments in Benue State during the remaining months of 2023. This strategic move is aimed at quelling the illicit activities of bandits, armed herders, and other militia groups operating within the state.
Gen. Lagbaja provided this assurance on October 30, 2023, in response to a request made by Reverend Father (Dr.) Hycinth Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, during his visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Governor Alia had called for the establishment of an additional battalion and forward operations bases in Benue State.
According to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the CoAS stated that the Nigerian Army is currently assessing the situation and security threats in Benue State. The intervention has become imperative due to the ongoing conflicts between herders and farmers, resulting in incessant attacks on each other and vulnerable communities in Benue and neighboring states.
Gen. Lagbaja appealed to both the government and the people of Benue State to actively support the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic operations, which will complement the military’s efforts to establish lasting peace and stability in the region. He expressed gratitude for the government’s support and interventions in various Nigerian Army formations and units deployed within the state and pledged to provide combat enablers to enhance the capabilities of these units for effective operations.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, in his remarks, emphasized the need for additional Forward Operations Bases (FOBs) in the state to address the security challenges posed by bandits and armed herders. He noted the loss of lives and property, particularly in rural areas, due to the heinous activities of these criminal groups. The governor highlighted Benue State’s vulnerability to security challenges, given its proximity to neighboring states and the presence of valuable mineral resources in certain local government areas. He called for proactive measures to ensure peace and security in these troubled areas, commending the efforts of the Nigerian Army, sister services, and other security agencies in combatting these security challenges and urging them to remain steadfast in their mission.
