The security situation across Nigeria has prompted significant military and police actions, highlighted by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, temporarily relocating to Makurdi, the Benue State capital. This move, announced by the Nigerian Army, is a direct response to the incessant killings of innocent villagers by herders and militia groups in the state. The COAS's focus on Benue comes shortly after his return from the North-east operational theatres, where he had also temporarily relocated following setbacks in Operation Hadin Kai and had participated in the COAS biannual conference in Maiduguri.

Before departing Maiduguri, Lt. Gen. Oluyede had ordered commanding officers and troops of Operation Hadin Kai to be ruthless towards terrorists, emphasizing the need to stamp out insurgency, terrorism, and other emerging security threats. His relocation to Benue, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other top army commanders on Tuesday morning from Abuja, is for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation. The COAS plans to hold strategic meetings with operational and unit commanders, review ongoing operations including Operation Safe Haven, and ordered the deployment of more troops and logistics to hunt down armed groups terrorising the people. He is also expected to visit attacked villages, reassure residents of their safety, boost troop morale, and personally lead troops in operations on the battlefront. There was also unconfirmed speculation that his visit to Benue would lead to the redeployment of field commanders to improve operational efficiency within the state.

During his visit, Lt. Gen. Oluyede met with the Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, in Makurdi, appealing to the government and people of Benue State to support the military with credible and timely information to end the attacks. He emphasized that the military needs local cooperation, as soldiers cannot be everywhere to end the barbaric acts. Governor Alia, welcoming the COAS to the government house, thanked the army for taking the killings seriously and assured Lt. Gen. Oluyede of his support in the fight against banditry and other violent killings. He also commended the army's operations in the state for reducing attacks. The Tor Tiv also expressed optimism that the COAS's visit would change the operational narrative and end the killings soon. Earlier, Lt. Gen. Oluyede visited the headquarters of Operation WHIRL STOKE in Makurdi, where he was briefed by the commander, Brigadier-General Moses Gara, on operational updates.

The urgency of the situation in Benue is underscored by recent attacks by suspected herdsmen. These include an assault on Reverend Father Solomon Atongo on May 24, an attack on Agan community in Makurdi on May 29 resulting in multiple fatalities, and attacks on Sunday, June 1, in Naka, the Gwer West Local Government headquarters, and Edikwu-Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area, also leading to several fatalities. Further attacks on Tse-Antswam in Naka town by suspected herdsmen left 17 people dead, while Edikwu and Ankpali communities in Apa Local Government Area saw 16 confirmed deaths with many others missing or displaced. In response, the Benue State Police Command, under Commissioner of Police Emenari Ifeanyi, has relocated Area Commanders and tactical teams to Apa and Gwer West LGAs and deployed resources to flashpoints, noting that no fewer than 22 persons were killed during these attacks, while five others were hospitalised.

Beyond Benue, other states are grappling with severe security challenges. In Kwara State, members of a new terrorist group identified as Mahmuda reportedly killed three villagers in Duruma village, Baruten Local Government Area, on a recent Monday. This attack has raised fears of a new security threat, and THISDAY checks suggested it might be linked to loopholes created by the absence of local hunters, who were in Ilorin for training for the National Forests Guard. The victims were reportedly buried immediately by the community, and the attack occurred despite the presence of soldiers in the flashpoint areas.

In Niger State, operatives of the Joint Security Task Force neutralized about 30 bandits in an operation in Kuchi community, Munya Local Government Area, on a Monday. The task force, which had laid an ambush for bandits planning to attack the community, also recovered many motorcycles and cattle. The operation lasted about three hours, but tragically, a source stated that “between two and three members of the task force paid the supreme price.” The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Major-General Bello Abdullahi (rtd), confirmed the incident, stating it was a follow-up to a previous attack and that security operatives were prepared this time, though he had not yet received detailed casualty figures for the bandits.

Imo State is also experiencing a surge in insecurity. On a recent Sunday, suspected Fulani herdsmen murdered a USA-based Nigerian (identity withheld, from Ihiala in Anambra State) and abducted his wife around Irete-Umuguma Road, near Golden Estate/Abba Father Avenue in Umuguma, Owerri. The victim was visiting a site with his wife and two local land agents to finalize a land purchase deal when their Toyota Highlander SUV was ambushed. He was shot in the head at close range while attempting to rescue his abducted wife, who was then taken into the forest by the assailants, leaving other victims injured. The Secretary of Owerri West Local Government Area, Dr. Fidel Onyeneke, expressed sorrow and called for immediate security interventions.

The Imo State Police Command, through Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Henry Okoye, confirmed the killing and abduction, stating that an investigation is ongoing and the Commissioner of Police had directed the deployment of tactical teams, led by the Area Commander for Owerri Urban, to hunt the culprits through the forests of Owerri West LGA. In a separate update, Mr. Okoye stated that the State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a targeted operation at Eke Eziama in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, leading to the arrest of John Bosco Onuoha, aged 34. Onuoha was linked to multiple violent attacks that had claimed the lives of security personnel and traditional leaders in the Mbaise axis. Items recovered included one GPMG gun, two chain magazines with two hundred rounds of live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle, fifty-six rounds of live ammunition, and four magazines. The suspect confessed to a prominent role in numerous terrorist attacks and is currently held at a medical facility in Owerri for treatment following injuries sustained during a shootout in the operation.