Makurdi: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has announced the deployment of a new battalion to Kwande Local Government Area in Benue to enhance security measures and restore law and order. This decision was disclosed during Shaibu’s courtesy visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shaibu highlighted that the army is not only focusing on kinetic operations but is also implementing non-kinetic strategies by engaging with traditional leaders to boost community cooperation and intelligence gathering. Furthermore, the army is expanding its aviation assets to improve response times, with plans to introduce helicopters for Operation Whirl Stroke.
Shaibu assured the Benue Government of the military’s ongoing commitment to achieving lasting peace in the state. He also revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment and training of over 28,000 troops within a year to bolster the nation’s security framework. The COAS commended Governor Alia for providing essential operational assets, including drones, motorcycles, and vehicles, to support the troops, as well as for offering educational support to the families of fallen soldiers.
Shaibu explained that his visit was both official and personal, marking his return to a place that played a significant role in his early education. His itinerary included operational visits to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, 401 Special Brigade, and other formations to evaluate operational readiness and address challenges faced by the troops.
Governor Hyacinth Alia praised the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government for their continued efforts in enhancing security in Benue. He described the COAS’s visit as a homecoming, noting that the state contributed to Shaibu’s early upbringing. The governor expressed gratitude towards the army and President Tinubu’s administration for their dedication to national security, particularly in Benue.
Alia noted the close cooperation between his administration and the military, which has significantly reduced insecurity across the state. Upon assuming office in 2023, 17 out of 23 local government areas were severely affected by insecurity; however, sustained efforts have reduced the number of high-risk areas to three. The governor also mentioned recent discussions with Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba to enhance cross-border collaboration to address insecurity along shared borders.