Chief of Army Staff Relocates to Benue After Explosive Genocide Accusation

Chief of Army Staff Relocates to Benue After Explosive Genocide Accusation

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Benue State in response to a powerful petition that accused the Nigerian military of turning a blind eye to ethnic killings.

The petition was filed by Professor Sabastine Hon, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who described the growing violence in Benue as “genocide” against indigenous communities. His letter, dated May 26, 2025, has sparked nationwide concern and drawn intense scrutiny over the military’s role in the crisis.

Hon’s petition was addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services. In it, he accused the military of selective intervention—targeting local militia groups while ignoring the real threat posed by heavily armed herdsmen.

According to Hon, the current operation led by the military—Operation Whirl Stroke—has failed to protect indigenous people in rural Benue communities. Instead, he claims it focuses its force on the wrong targets.

“The Nigerian military has turned away from protecting victims,” the SAN wrote. “They are now seen as backing the attackers, either by silence or inaction.”

His words have shaken public confidence, especially among residents of Benue who have long complained about rising insecurity and what they see as a lack of protection from federal forces.

The Chief of Army Staff’s decision to move his base to the region is being viewed as a high-level effort to calm fears and take direct control of the situation. Military sources say Lt. Gen. Oluyede intends to personally oversee security operations and rebuild trust between soldiers and civilians.

But for many locals, the move is long overdue.

Villages in Benue have seen repeated attacks by armed groups suspected to be herdsmen. These assaults often happen at night, leaving behind burned homes, destroyed farms, and grieving families. Community leaders say hundreds have been killed in the last year alone.

Despite numerous calls for help, survivors say the military has not responded swiftly—or at all—in many cases.

“I buried my brother with my own hands,” said Terna Aondo, a farmer from Guma Local Government Area. “We kept calling for help, but no soldier came. It felt like we were abandoned.”

The emotional weight of the killings, coupled with growing anger, has led some community youths to take up arms to defend their homes. However, Hon’s petition alleges that these groups are now the main targets of military raids.

“They’re treating us like criminals for defending ourselves,” said a youth leader who asked not to be named for safety reasons. “But the real criminals are roaming free.”

The Chief of Army Staff is expected to meet with state officials, traditional rulers, and civil society leaders in the coming days. His goal, sources say, is to get firsthand reports, review the conduct of Operation Whirl Stroke, and make necessary changes on the ground.

This is not the first time security forces have faced backlash in the Middle Belt region. Similar accusations have surfaced in parts of Plateau and Nasarawa States, where community clashes have spiraled into deadly conflict.

Analysts say the situation in Benue could set the tone for national security reforms, especially as the country continues to battle multiple fronts—terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and farmer-herder clashes in the Middle Belt.

For now, all eyes are on Lt. Gen. Oluyede and how he handles this sensitive mission. His presence in Benue is seen as a test of the army’s commitment to justice, fairness, and true national security.

But for families on the ground, what matters most is simple: safety, protection, and peace.