Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waididi Shaibu, on March 4, 2026, paid a working visit to Tatyoungh in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, where the COAS Intervention Battalion (CIB) is stationed. The high-profile engagement is part of intensified efforts by the Nigerian Army to bolster security operations amid ongoing challenges in Makurdi and Guma local government areas.
The COAS was received by the Executive Chairman of Guma Local Government Council, Hon. Maurice Orwough, and the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Keffi. The visit underscores the military’s commitment to on-ground assessment, troop morale boosting, and closer collaboration with civilian authorities to restore lasting peace.
In their separate remarks, both chairmen warmly welcomed Lt Gen Shaibu and expressed deep appreciation for the Nigerian Army’s sustained dedication to tackling insecurity across Benue State. Hon. Orwough commended the Army Chief for his personal visit and highlighted the military’s relentless efforts in restoring peace in Guma, Makurdi, and other affected parts of the state.
Hon. Keffi praised the COAS for taking time to assess the security situation directly on the ground, noting that such high-level engagements significantly boost the morale of both troops and local residents. The two council chairmen also lauded the Commander of the COAS Intervention Battalion, Lt Col Otobo, for his consistent and effective leadership in confronting insecurity and fostering sustainable peace in the communities under his operational purview.
Responding, Lt Gen Shaibu reassured the chairmen of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to intensify operations, safeguard lives and property, and collaborate closely with all relevant stakeholders. He emphasized that the military remains fully committed to working hand-in-hand with local leaders and communities to achieve enduring stability in Guma, Makurdi, and across Benue State at large.
The visit to the COAS Intervention Battalion in Tatyoungh reflects a broader strategic push by the Nigerian Army to maintain operational momentum, strengthen civil-military relations, and deliver decisive results against criminal elements threatening peace and normalcy in the region.
