COAS Connects Recent Murders in Benue to Foreign Militants

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has linked the recent spate of violent killings in Benue State to foreign mercenaries.

Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation quarterly media chat in Akure, Ondo State, he expressed worry that the perpetrators' actions do not align with Nigerian values, implying they might be from outside the country. He condemned the killings and displacement they have caused and reaffirmed the military's commitment to safeguarding the nation's territorial integrity.

The COAS revealed that security forces are adapting their strategies to combat these armed groups effectively. He assured that the military is under direct orders from President Bola Tinubu to act decisively in response to the situation. Troops have been deployed to the affected regions as part of these efforts.

Oluyede emphasized the importance of community support, particularly in providing timely and reliable information to aid military operations. He acknowledged the challenges posed by insufficient manpower and delayed intelligence, highlighting the need for local cooperation to tackle the issue. The involvement of foreign mercenaries in internal conflicts is a concerning development that could potentially escalate the security situation and complicate efforts to establish peace and stability.