By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, engaged with traditional rulers in Benue to secure their support for ongoing military operations against insurgents in the state and the wider North Central region.
Shaibu, during a strategic operational tour on Wednesday, visited the palaces of traditional rulers in Benue, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s resolve to decisively flush out criminal elements destabilising the state and neighbouring areas.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The army chief said the visit underscored a renewed and coordinated approach combining robust military action with strengthened community collaboration to restore lasting peace.
He reiterated the Army’s unwavering commitment to dismantling armed groups and criminal networks threatening lives and livelihoods across Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
Shaibu disclosed that the tour featured a comprehensive assessment of Operation WHIRL STROKE and the 401 Special Forces Brigade in Makurdi, aimed at recalibrating ongoing operations for greater operational impact.
He emphasised that beyond kinetic operations, the backing of traditional institutions remained critical to achieving sustainable peace.
The COAS urged the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo, and other traditional rulers to leverage their grassroots influence to mobilise communities against criminality.
“Security is a shared responsibility. 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,” he said.
Waidi described Makurdi as a strategic military hub hosting elite formations whose lineage traces back to the 72 Special Forces Battalion and now the 401 Special Forces Brigade.
According to him, Operation WHIRL STROKE was created to harmonise the capabilities of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force for swift and coordinated responses to emerging threats in the Middle Belt.
Shaibu announced increased troop density along vulnerable corridors, particularly the Benue–Taraba axis, including the deployment of an additional battalion.
He added that logistics support, surveillance assets and rapid response capabilities had been enhanced to strengthen operational dominance and safeguard farming communities.
The army chief stressed that intelligence-driven operations, early warning systems and sustained community engagement remained essential to preventing reprisals and breaking the cycle of violence.
As the nation approaches the general elections, he assured citizens that proactive measures were in place to deter criminal actors and guarantee a secure environment for the exercise of civic rights.
In his remarks, the Tor Tiv, Prof. Ayatse, commended the Nigerian Army for its resilience and sacrifices amid persistent security challenges.
While acknowledging improvements in civil-military relations, the monarch expressed concern over recurring attacks in border communities and called for more preventive security strategies.
He underscored the need to integrate grassroots intelligence into operational planning, noting that traditional rulers often receive early warning signs of threats.
Ayatse 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, HRM Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo, who was represented, also conveyed goodwill and encouragement to the troops.
The visit signals a fortified partnership between the Nigerian Army and traditional leadership in Benue, reflecting a comprehensive approach that blends decisive military action with credible intelligence, community mobilisation and strategic communication to restore lasting peace in the North Central region. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)