The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has temporarily relocated to Benue to tackle the ongoing security challenges in the state.
The COAS, who arrived at the Government House, Makurdi, at about 1:35 pm, went straight into a closed-door meeting with Gov. Hyacinth Alia and left at about 2:45 pm.
Upon his arrival, the COAS did not address the media, traditional rulers, and heads of other security agencies in the state.
However, the Benue state governor told the Benue Traditional Council and state security council members the purpose of the visit of the army chief.
Alia stated that the COAS had brought a message of hope to the people of Benue in the face of the renewed unprovoked attacks and killings perpetrated by armed herders.
He said Oluyede also condoled with the state government over the killing and gave assurances of the federal government’s plan to address the situation.
The governor also revealed that the death toll from Apa and Gwer West local governments had risen to 33 as of this morning.
Alia also held a close-door meeting with Tor-Tiv, Prof. James Ayaste, Och’idoma, Dr John Eliagwu, represented by the Ad’Enone, Chief George Edeh, and other chiefs.
Others in the meeting were the commissioner of police, the commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the state director of SSS, among others.
