Emmanuel Daudu
Sustained military operations under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have significantly restored peace and stability across troubled communities in Benue State, leading to the gradual return of displaced families to their ancestral homes.
This development was disclosed by the Commanding Officer, COAS Intervention Battalion XI, Lieutenant Colonel Donatus Otobo, while hosting Defence Correspondents during an operational media tour to the headquarters of Operation Whirl Stroke in Makurdi.
Lieutenant Colonel Otobo revealed that in the past one year alone, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted over 1,900 coordinated operations, resulting in the rescue of numerous kidnapped victims, neutralisation of criminal elements, and the disruption of armed groups responsible for communal violence, banditry and cattle rustling across Benue and adjoining states.
According to him, the sustained presence of troops has created a conducive security environment that is already encouraging internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return home.
“The relocation of displaced families to their ancestral homes has gained momentum following sustained military operations that restored peace and tranquillity in the area,” Otobo said.
He clarified that Operation Whirl Stroke was not established to replace the Nigeria Police or other civil law enforcement agencies, but to provide military aid to civil authorities in line with constitutional provisions.
“We are here to support. Where primary law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed or criminal strongholds exist, we move in with additional manpower and resources to neutralise the threat,” he explained.
The senior officer noted that communities such as Guma, Tatio, Upeam and Daudu have witnessed remarkable security improvements, allowing residents to begin returning after years of displacement.
However, he admitted that challenges such as poor transportation infrastructure, limited access to farmlands, and lingering mistrust among communities continue to slow full resettlement.
Otobo disclosed that despite the military’s success in denying criminal elements freedom of action, the cycle of violence between herders and farming communities remains a major concern.
“Herders have lost cattle, locals have lost lives and farms. Everyone believes they have a grievance. At this point, there must be engagement to draw the line and stop the killings,” he said.
He stressed the need for inclusive dialogue, community-based committees, and active involvement of civil authorities to consolidate peace, noting that the military alone cannot be everywhere at once.
The Commander expressed concern over the proliferation of illegal weapons, disclosing that intelligence reports have uncovered the existence of community armouries, where weapons are collectively procured under the guise of self-defence but later used for criminal activities.
“Some communities contribute money to acquire arms. These weapons are now being used for crimes and even sold to other criminal groups,” he revealed.
Otobo attributed the complexity of insecurity in Benue largely to an entrenched narrative of distrust the belief that certain groups are deliberately seeking to dispossess indigenous communities of their land.
“This narrative has permeated society and made peace difficult. Even when we recover illegal weapons or rescue victims, it is misinterpreted as disarming locals and exposing them to attacks,” he said.
He contrasted the situation with neighbouring states such as Taraba and Nasarawa, where functional conflict-resolution mechanisms, swift arrests, and decisive state action have helped contain violence.
While reaffirming the Army’s readiness to confront hardened criminals, Otobo emphasized that non-kinetic measures including dialogue, stakeholder engagement and reconciliation remain critical to sustainable peace.
“History has shown that conflicts are eventually resolved when people sit down and talk. These are our citizens, and we must be measured in our approach,” he stated.
He acknowledged resistance from individuals who benefit from criminality but insisted that dialogue remains the most effective long-term solution.
Otobo assured that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke remain fully deployed and continue to dominate flashpoints across Benue, adding that commanders regularly conduct on-ground assessments to monitor progress.
He disclosed that herders in some areas have already expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, a development he attributed to the military’s sustained pressure on criminal networks.
“The return of IDPs is one of the core indicators of our performance. When people go back to their communities and resume their livelihoods, then we know we are succeeding,” he said.
The Army officer called on state and local governments to build on the security gains, strengthen law enforcement, improve infrastructure, and accelerate reconciliation efforts to allow troops to redeploy to other troubled areas.
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