From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, has undertaken an operational visit to several crisis-hit communities in Benue State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant
Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu and made available to newsmen in Makurdi yesterday.
The Commander who undertook the visit on Saturday, 14 June 2025, said it was aimed at reassessing troops’ deployment and engaging local stakeholders in the development of decisive security strategies to counter the activities of marauding insurgents wreaking havoc in the area.
During the visit to Yelwata Village, Tse-Mtwenem, Daudu, and Iye villages, the Commander held crucial engagements with community leaders and other critical stakeholders.
He assured them of the military’s renewed operational strategy targeted at ending the persistent attacks and restoring enduring peace across the affected regions.
Describing the recent attacks as “barbaric and unacceptable,” Major General Gara reaffirmed the commitment of OPWS to ensuring that peace is fully restored in the region.
He also sympathized with families who lost loved ones in the attacks and praised the courage and resilience of troops who have remained steadfast in the defence of innocent citizens.
“Today, I stand not just as a Commander, but as a fellow Nigerian who understands your pain and suffering. The Nigerian security establishment is with you. We are not here to observe; we are here to act. We will pursue the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and ensure they face justice,” he stated.
General Gara further reassured traditional rulers, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders that OPWS has intensified intelligence gathering and has implemented robust operational strategies, including the deployment of additional troops to strategic locations. These measures are aimed at preventing further incursions by criminal elements.
He emphasized the critical role of community collaboration in achieving lasting peace and urged residents to support security agencies by volunteering credible and timely information.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Iorkyaa Emmanuel expressed confidence in the military’s ability to decisively deal with the assailants.
He pledged the community’s unwavering support to the military and advocated for a sustained security presence in the remote areas to deter future attacks.