In a bold show of leadership and solidarity, the Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, visited several communities in Benue State reeling from a wave of brutal attacks that have left dozens dead and many displaced.
The high-level military visit, confirmed by a statement from Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at OPWS Headquarters, included stops in Yelwata Village, Tse-Mtwenem, Daudu, and Iye Village—areas recently targeted in a series of violent incidents that have sparked widespread fear and outrage.
Addressing residents, traditional rulers, and community leaders, General Gara condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, labeling them “barbaric and unacceptable.” He assured the people that OPWS is taking decisive action to track down those responsible.
“Today, I stand not just as a Commander, but as a fellow Nigerian who understands your pain and suffering,” General Gara said during a community meeting. “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 extended condolences to bereaved families and commended OPWS troops for their commitment to protecting civilians despite difficult and dangerous conditions.
General Gara announced that the military has increased its intelligence operations and deployed additional personnel to strategic areas identified as potential flashpoints. However, he emphasized that military action alone is insufficient to end the violence, urging residents to support the security effort by providing credible, timely information.
“Without community support, our efforts will be limited. We need your cooperation to prevent further bloodshed,” he said.
Representing the affected communities, Mr. Iorkyaa Emmanuel praised the visit as a morale boost and turning point for villagers long plagued by insecurity. He pledged the community’s full support and called for a sustained military presence in vulnerable, often neglected, rural areas.
As Benue State grapples with another painful chapter in its history of communal violence, General Gara’s visit signals a renewed push for peace and accountability in a region desperate for both.
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