COAS Oloyede relocates to Benue, meets with Gov Alia
By John Okezie
Following the escalating insecurity in Benue state, the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Olufemi Oloyede on Monday relocated temporarily to Makurdi, the state capital to lead from the front in the battle against the spate of violence and bloodletting in the agrarian state.
AbeyaNews reports that the Chief of Army staff, shortly upon arrival, held a closed door meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia in the Government house.
He is expected to visit some of the communities attacked by armed herdsmen to assess the level of damages and feel the pulse of the people.
After the closed door meeting, Governor Alia intimated the Benue State traditional council as well as the state security council on the purpose for the visit of the army chief.
Alia, in a brief remark, said the Chief of Army staff has 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 the Chief of Army staff also condoled with the state government over the killings and assured of the federal government’s commitment to address the situation.
The meeting had in attendance, the Tor-Tiv, Prof. James Ayaste, Och’idoma, Dr. John Eliagwu represented by the Ad’Enone, Chief George Edeh, First class Chiefs, Third class Chiefs, Benue State commissioner of police, state commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, amongst others.
