Army deploys special forces to Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa

The Nigerian Army has deployed specially trained troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion XV to Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and stabilise vulnerable communities.

The troops were deployed as a force multiplier to the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, following the successful completion of an intensive special forces training programme at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora.

This was contained in a statement posted on X on Tuesday by the Nigerian Army.

Signed by the acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, the service said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shuaibu, approved their deployment to key formations and operational theatres across the country, including OPWS.

The statement said, “In a renewed effort to strengthen internal security and stabilise vulnerable communities, the Nigerian Army has deployed COAS Special Intervention Battalion XV, specially trained troops as a force multiplier to the Joint Task Force OPWS.

“The deployment follows the successful completion of an intensive Special Forces training programme conducted at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, subsequently approved the deployment of the newly graduated soldiers to key formations and operational theatres across the country, including Operation Whirl Stroke.”

According to the Army, the newly deployed soldiers arrived at the joint operations area in high morale and combat readiness.

“Upon arrival in the Joint Operations Area, the troops demonstrated high morale and combat readiness.

“They are expected to bring fresh momentum to ongoing efforts aimed at dismantling criminal networks, curbing insecurity and restoring normalcy to communities shattered by banditry, armed violence and other criminal activities.

“The deployment is also intended to safeguard farming communities, protect livelihoods and revive socio-economic activities disrupted by relentless insecurity in the region,” it added.

Addressing the troops on arrival, the Force Commander of OPWS, Maj Gen Moses Gara, welcomed them to the theatre of operations and tasked them to apply the skills and discipline acquired during their Special Forces training.

He emphasised the need for professionalism, resilience and commitment, noting that the operational environment required decisiveness against terrorist and criminal elements.

The PUNCH reports that the deployment of special forces to Nasarawa, Taraba and Benue is coming just a day after the same was sent to Plateau.

Meanwhile, the Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly and the Christian Association of Nigeria have condemned renewed attacks on Tiv Christian communities in Takum and Donga local government areas of Taraba State.

At least seven more persons were reportedly killed on Tuesday near Peva, one of the major towns hosting over 30,000 internally displaced persons.

The latest killings, which occurred barely a kilometre from Peva, further worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in the area, residents said.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its chairman, Rev Micah Dopah, NOCRELA said at least 102 people were killed, and more than 31 others were injured in a series of attacks carried out over a 33-day period between January 2 and February 3, 2026, in Chanchanji District of Takum Local Government Council.

The group described the attacks as “continuous, horrific, and targeted,” noting that no fewer than 10 separate assaults were recorded within the period.

Similarly, CAN, in a separate press release signed by its Taraba State Chairman, Rev Fr Dr Williams Awoshiri, condemned what it described as a renewed wave of violent attacks in Takum and Donga LGAs that claimed at least 25 lives within two days.

According to CAN, 11 persons were killed on Sunday, while 14 others died in further attacks on Tuesday across communities, including Adu, Aga, Mbaiyerikyaior, Tse-Nev, Facii, Demevaa and Igbum.

The association said several Catholic parishes and church outstations had been deserted, attacked or shut down due to the violence, alongside over 100 other denominational churches across the two LGAs.

CAN noted that the attacks, which reportedly began in September, had displaced hundreds of thousands of mostly Christian farmers now taking refuge in Peva and Amadu towns. While acknowledging the Taraba State Government’s earlier deployment of security personnel to the Amadu axis, CAN lamented that the deployment lasted only a few days as killings continued.(Punch)