By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday 4 March 2026, visited the palace of traditional leaders in Benue as part of a strategic operational tour of Benue State and the wider North Central theatre.
The visit underscored a renewed, coordinated resolve by the Nigerian Army to decisively flush out criminal elements destabilising Benue and contiguous states.
During the engagement, the COAS reaffirmed the Army’s unwavering commitment to dismantling armed groups and criminal networks threatening lives and livelihoods across Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States. He disclosed that the tour included a comprehensive assessment of Operation WHIRL STROKE and the 401 Special Forces Brigade, both headquartered in Makurdi, with a view to recalibrating ongoing operations for enhanced impact.
Lt Gen Shaibu emphasised that beyond kinetic operations, the support of traditional institutions remains pivotal to achieving sustainable peace. He called on the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse and the Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo and other traditional rulers across the state to lend their moral authority and grassroots influence toward mobilising communities against criminality. According to him, traditional leaders play a critical role in shaping public perception, promoting peaceful messaging, and discouraging any form of collaboration with criminal elements.
“Security is a shared responsibility,” the Army Chief stated. “While the Armed Forces will continue to apply decisive force against enemies of the state, adding that enduring stability can only be achieved when communities reject violence, refuse to shield criminals and actively support lawful authority” the COAS averred.
He noted that Makurdi remains a strategic military hub, hosting elite formations whose lineage dates back to the 72 Special Forces Battalion and now the 401 Special Forces Brigade. He explained that Operation WHIRL STROKE was established to harmonise the capabilities of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force in responding swiftly and effectively to emerging threats within the Middle Belt.
To reinforce ongoing clearance and stabilisation efforts, the COAS announced an increase in 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 have been significantly enhanced to strengthen operational dominance and protect farming communities.
The Army Chief further stressed that intelligence-driven operations, early warning mechanisms and sustained community engagement are indispensable to preventing reprisals and curbing the cycle of violence. As the nation approaches the general elections, he assured citizens that proactive measures are being implemented to deter criminal actors and guarantee a secure environment for the exercise of civic rights.
In his remarks, the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, commended the Nigerian Army for its resilience and sacrifices in the face of persistent security challenges. While acknowledging improvements in civil-military relations, he expressed concern over recurring attacks in border communities and called for more preventive security strategies.
The monarch highlighted the importance of integrating grassroots intelligence into operational planning, noting that traditional rulers often receive early indicators of threats. He 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 also sent his good will and words of encouragement to the troops as he was out of the state for an official engagemet
The visit signals a fortified partnership between the Nigerian Army and traditional leadership in Benue State.
The visit reflects a comprehensive approach that combines robust military action with credible intelligence, community mobilisation and strategic communication aimed at flushing out criminal elements, isolating them from local support and restoring lasting peace and stability across the North Central region.
