Military holds outreach, promotes education among displaced children in Benue

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, has marked Nigeria’s Independence Day with vulnerable children at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Daudu-2, Guma Local Government, Benue State.

To mark the 2025 Independence Day, the Force Commander donated 3,000 copies of 60-page exercise books to pupils and students of primary and secondary schools across the Joint Operations Area of OPWS.

Beneficiaries included learners from Ortese and Abagana IDP camps as well as the Government Secondary School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, among others.

Major General Gara described the gesture as a demonstration of the command’s commitment to education, hope restoration and strengthened civil-military relations.

He said the troops’ primary mandate is to ensure a safe environment for all displaced persons and to facilitate their return home, saying, “I hope that when next I visit, it will be in your homes, not as IDPs.”

The commander urged the learners to remain law-abiding, disciplined and focused on their studies, saying education is the foundation for a better future and improved living standards.

The camp manager, Mr. Noel Numbe expressed gratitude on behalf of the IDPs, describing the intervention as timely. He noted that many pupils had been unable to attend school due to lack of writing materials and commended the Commander for restoring peace that now enables residents to engage in farm works without fear.

A pupil, Tyokile Samuel, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Force Commander for his visit and generosity, praying for divine blessings upon him for his compassion and leadership.