Benue Carnage, Gen Oluyede’s Visit and Matters Arising

By Chidi Omeje

The operational visit embarked upon by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, to Benue State is both timely and commendable. It demonstrates a much-needed show of leadership, empathy, and resolve in the face of the recurring violence that continues to claim innocent lives and destabilize communities across the state.

It was reported that the Army Chief departed Abuja on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his principal staff officers (PSOs) and senior military commanders. The high-level team is on a mission to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of the deteriorating security situation and to directly oversee the reinforcement of ongoing military operations.

However, while the Nigerian Army’s kinetic interventions are crucial, the persistent cycle of attacks, particularly by suspected cattle herders on farming communities, reveals a deeper truth: military operations alone are not enough.

Benue State has become synonymous with the tragic fallout of farmer-herder conflicts. Despite years of security operations, intensified under the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, the attacks have not abated. Communities continue to mourn their dead, count their losses, and live in fear. It is therefore increasingly evident that the root causes of these conflicts must be addressed with the same urgency and intensity as the military campaigns.

In a resolute and strategic response to the situation he met on the ground, General Oluyede has ordered the immediate deployment of additional troops to Benue State. He has also directed intensified counter-insurgency operations targeting the armed elements responsible for the wave of violence that has devastated several communities. His directive is a pointer to the military’s efforts to neutralize threats and reestablish stability in the region.

As part of his operational tour, the COAS is also scheduled to conduct tactical reviews with field commanders to recalibrate and optimize engagement strategies. He will also visit forward operating bases (FOBs) to assess the combat readiness and morale of troops stationed across critical flashpoints.

Additionally, Gen Oluyede will also engage directly with local communities that have been affected by the recent violence. Very important. These meetings aim to provide much-needed reassurance of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace, ensuring security, and safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of civilians. It is absolutely critical that these communities do not, under any circumstances, feel abandoned or neglected by the state. Their sense of inclusion, protection, and national support must be actively reinforced through both words and decisive actions.

This latest operational visit of the Army Chief comes on the heels of his recent intervention in Borno State, where his hands-on leadership significantly curtailed terrorist activities. Under his command, troops of the Nigerian Army have executed sustained clearance operations that dismantled insurgent camps and restored a measure of calm to previously embattled territories.

However, the truth of the matter is that the problem in Benue, just like in Plateau, Zamfara and most states assailed by insecurity, cannot be solved or resolved by military action alone. At its core, the crisis in Benue is not just a security problem; it is a complex socio-political and economic challenge. The unresolved issues of land ownership, resource competition, climate-induced migration, weak law enforcement, and the absence of justice mechanisms for victims have all contributed to the volatile mix. A kinetic approach (which is essentially treating the symptoms) can only go so far without addressing these underlying causes.

Good governance, peace-building, justice and equity, and the political will to take decisive actions must go hand in hand with military efforts. Dialogue between farmers and herders, supported by traditional institutions and civil society, is essential. State and federal governments must invest in long-term conflict resolution mechanisms, such as grazing route demarcation, ranching programs, and community peacebuilding frameworks. Accountability must also be prioritized; perpetrators of violence must be prosecuted to break the cycle of impunity. It is when these issues are adequately taken care of that we can expect sustainable peace and security to return to Benue. The military does not possess the magic wand to end the crisis in Benue; good governance does.

Good governance must serve as a key weapon against insecurity. Many rural areas in Benue suffer from chronic neglect—poor infrastructure, lack of education, absence of the protective arms of the state, and minimal economic opportunities. These conditions fuel helplessness and leave communities vulnerable to violence and manipulation. A comprehensive approach that includes economic revitalization, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development is imperative.

All said, the visit of the COAS should serve as a turning point, not just in reinforcing military presence but in galvanizing all stakeholders to adopt a holistic strategy. The commendable efforts of the Nigerian Army must be complemented by political will, policy innovation, and community-based solutions that go beyond the barrel of a gun.

Benue State, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” cannot continue to be a battlefield. Its farmers must be able to till their land without fear, and its communities must be able to live in dignity and peace. 

Lasting security will not come from force alone, but from justice, inclusion, and sustainable development. This is the path to true peace, and it is about time we walked it with resolve.

*Chidi Omeje is the publisher of Security Digest (www.securitydigestng.com)