June 21, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has revealed that the recent violent attacks in Benue State are likely carried out by foreign mercenaries, rather than Nigerian nationals.
This assertion was made during the opening of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation quarterly media chat in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
Oluyede, represented by Major General Obinna Onubogu, condemned the attackers’ behavior as “utterly despicable” and emphasized that it does not reflect the values and identity of the Nigerian people.
“We are mindful that some of these people may be foreign elements. The behaviour we are seeing is utterly despicable, the way they go about their work. It does not reflect any kind of national identity or value system.”
The COAS assured that the military is fully committed to ending the violence and protecting the nation’s territorial integrity from both external and internal threats.
“The Nigerian Army has remained engaged in Plateau, in Benue, in Kwara — in quite a number of states that are experiencing insecurity.”
Oluyede vowed that the military would track down the attackers and bring them to justice. “We shall go after them, and by God’s grace, we will get them.”
He noted that the military has received clear directives from President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against the marauders.
“The President has given very clear orders for us to go out there. And so we are out — fully deployed — and tackling the menace head-on.”
The COAS also called on local communities to support the military’s efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence.
“The Army cannot be everywhere at once. Nigeria is a vast country, and we are not as large in number as many people believe. We rely heavily on the support and cooperation of the local population to provide timely and credible information.”
The recent attacks in Benue’s Guma Local Government Area have resulted in the deaths of at least 200 people, including Internally Displaced Persons and security personnel.
