The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday, March 4, 2026, visited the palace of traditional rulers in Benue State as part of a strategic operational tour of the state and the wider North Central region, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s determination to eliminate criminal groups destabilising the area.
During the engagement, Securitynewsalert.com heard that the Army Chief said the visit formed part of a comprehensive assessment of ongoing security operations, including Operation WHIRL STROKE and the 401 Special Forces Brigade headquartered in Makurdi, to strengthen ongoing efforts against armed groups operating in Benue State, Nasarawa State and Taraba State.
Shaibu stressed that the Nigerian Army remains committed to dismantling criminal networks threatening lives and livelihoods across the region.
“Security is a shared responsibility,” the Army Chief said. “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 also called on traditional leaders to use their moral authority and grassroots influence to mobilise communities against criminality.
The COAS specifically appealed to the Tor Tiv, James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, Elaigwu Odogbo, as well as other traditional rulers across the state, to help shape public perception, promote peaceful messaging and discourage any form of collaboration with criminal elements.
Shaibu described Makurdi as 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 to respond swiftly to emerging threats in the Middle Belt.
To reinforce ongoing clearance and stabilisation operations, the Army Chief announced plans to increase troop deployment 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 effectiveness and protect farming communities.
The COAS further emphasised the importance of intelligence-driven operations, early warning mechanisms and sustained community engagement in preventing reprisals and curbing cycles of violence. As the country approaches the next general elections, he assured citizens that proactive measures were being implemented to deter criminal actors and ensure a secure environment for civic participation.
In his remarks, the Tor Tiv, Ayatse, commended the Nigerian Army for its resilience in addressing security challenges but expressed concern over recurring attacks in border communities.
While acknowledging improvements in civil-military relations, the monarch called for stronger preventive security measures and greater integration of grassroots intelligence into military planning.
“Traditional rulers often receive early indicators of threats,” he said, stressing the need for structured collaboration between security agencies and traditional institutions to counter misinformation and strengthen public trust.
The Och’Idoma, Odogbo, who was out of the state on official engagement, also conveyed goodwill and words of encouragement to the troops.
The visit signals a strengthened partnership between the Nigerian Army and traditional leadership in Benue State, reflecting a strategy that combines military operations with community mobilisation, intelligence gathering and strategic communication aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability across the North Central region.
