Some persons in internally displaced camps in Benue State have remained there for several years, with most entering the camps before the current administration emerged. TARKAA DAVID writes that millions of the IDPs may soon return to their ancestral homes as the military launches offensives against armed groups.
There is a glimmer of hope for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State following renewed military offensives against armed herders, militia groups, and other criminal elements terrorising the state, particularly people from Agatu, Guma, Gwer, Kwande, and Logo local government areas.
Benue is host to several IDPs scattered across Makurdi, Daudu, and other places considered safer.
These camps are home to an estimated 2 million persons whose ancestral homes have been overtaken by terrorists.
Guma, the hotbed of herders’ attacks hitherto recorded not less than 10 attacks weekly. However, the trend has changed, all thanks to military offensives.
The state has suffered violent attacks from armed herders who residents alleged are on an occupation agenda in the Benue valley.
The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Kolo Gara, said troops rescued 677 kidnap hostages and killed 124 terrorists in 12 months in the joint area of operations.
He also alleged that arms were being stockpiled in fear of an occupation by the Danfodio descendants.
He stated these while briefing Defence Correspondents who were on an operational tour of military formations in the state, as well as others.
Major General Gara, represented by the Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade and Commander Sector 1 OPWS, Brigadier General Kolawale Bukoye, said troops, however, suffered 10 casualties within the period.
He said troops destroyed 1,080 bandits’ camps, rescued 627 kidnap victims, neutralised 427 combatants, arrested no fewer than 38 gunmen, and recovered 2,465 cows. Similarly, 98 assault weapons and 6,364 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
He said the area of responsibility recorded 114 attacks, mostly from armed herders.
According to him, troops recovered 2,465 cows in January last year, which were handed over to the vendors.
Prominent among those rescued were Mr Ali Bey and a lady working with SSC Nigeria Limited, Agu, who was adopted by a local militia.
According to him, troops’ efforts led to the return of over 60,000 IDPs to their ancestral homes and farmlands.
He added that troops distributed 2,800 bags of 50kg fertilisers as part of their social responsibility projects in support of their return home.
The Force Commander identified illegal/unregulated mining as one of the most attractive criminal enterprises in the state and its environs.
“In 2025, the force conducted a total of 1,936 kinetic operations within its joint operations area through fighting patrols, raids, clearance operations, and other active patrols. Within the period under review, 401 Special Forces Brigade conducted 350 fighting patrols, 128 raids, 72 clearance operations, primarily to identify crimes, as well as 186 escort and other administrative patrol duties.
“Relatedly, 401 SF Command conducted 312 fighting patrols, 99 raids, 46 clearance operations, and 140 escort and other administrative patrol duties.
“Also, 6 Brigades conducted 330 fighting patrols, 106 raids, 56 clearance operations, as well as 108 escort and administrative patrol duties in the period of review.
“Analysis revealed that 401 Special Forces Brigade conducted 4 fighting patrols, raids, clearance operations, as well as escort and other administrative patrols, amongst others.”
The Commanding Officer. COAS Intervention Battalion XI, Lt.-Col. Donatus Otobo said locals seeking refuge in IDP camps would return home next month in preparation for the farming season.
He said the battalion was created and deployed on 12 July 2025, to flush out bandits hibernating in the forests from where they launched attacks on vulnerable communities in Benue State.
“We are deployed in line with the need for the Nigerian Army to ensure that the people of Benue State have a little succour from the activities of bandits. From the day we came into this area, it has been one form of attack or another from the bandits.
“For example, the first day we entered from NASME, we had over 10 attacks from bandits. The second day we attempted to enter to locate this particular place, and the same thing happened. However, on deployment to this particular location, we’ve been able to flush out all criminal elements within our area of responsibility,” he said.
Locals affirmed that military operations have paved the way for their return despite not having shelter or adequate food.
Zongo Akiki, a local of the Akiki community, thanked the soldiers for liberating his community. He, however, urged the soldiers to stop herders from destroying farms.
Also, Ms Martha Tyo thanked the soldiers for liberating her community and restoring the dignity of its residents.
According to Lt-Col Otobo, the battalion is tasked with expanding its operations to the entire Guma local government area.
“You all know that Yelwata is also in the Guma local government area. As I speak with you, we are deployed in Yelwata. Since our deployment there, we have ensured that we dominate this particular ground and the entire Guma local government area with aggressive patrols, with day and night ambushes that have deterred the bandits from coming close,” he said.
He explained that the Guma local government shares a boundary with three local government areas in Nasarawa, namely, Awe, Keana, and Doma, which he said are infested with bandits.
He said the large nature of the local government and terrain made it difficult to effectively block the criminals from sneaking in to attack.
“All these three local governments I just mentioned are infested with the activities of bandits. And whenever there is heat from the Nasarawa axis, they move into the Guma Local Government Area. So, we have been able to push these guys back to these local governments I just mentioned.
“So, as of today, I can tell you that the COAS Intervention Battalion 11 has been able to achieve at least 80 per cent of security within our area of responsibility. The bandits that come from these three local governments, so far, the information we get is that because of the COAS Intervention Battalion 11, they are scared of moving in,” he stated.
He maintained that Guma, which used to be a hotbed of security concerns in Nigeria, is now relatively safe for the return of internally displaced persons.
“Before our arrival, you always hear of attacks. Guma will record at least 10, on average, 10 killings a week. But today, I want to tell you that at times we go three months without any attack or killing in the Guma local government. This is a result of the efforts of the officers and soldiers of the Coercive Intervention Battalion 11.
“Before our arrival, no civilian could cross the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) and move into this area; it is our effort. I’m sure, when you came in, you saw a lot of farmers, a lot of people with firewood, and a lot of motorcycles going out.
“It is as a result of our effort. We want to thank the Chief of Army Staff for all the support he has given us, which has enabled us to succeed. The battalion is one of the prides of the Nigerian Army,” he added.
The Commanding Officer, Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke, Brig-Gen David Nwakonobi, also pledged to block terrorists from crossing into Benue to attack local communities.
He noted that troops working in collaboration with other security agencies would ensure that criminals don’t find Nasarawa a haven.
”It is only hoped that the peace attained will be sustained and that farming activities will return to the ravaged local government to achieve food security in the state,” a farmer in the state added.
