By The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has ordered the deployment of special forces to Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States to tackle rising insecurity and restore stability to troubled communities.
The move follows the earlier deployment of a similar force to Plateau State and is aimed at reinforcing Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), a joint military task force operating in the region. According to a statement by Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Spokesperson of OPWS, the newly deployed unit—known as COAS Special Intervention Battalion XV—will serve as a force multiplier in ongoing security operations.
The deployment is part of broader efforts by the Nigerian Army to protect farming communities, safeguard livelihoods and revive socio-economic activities that have been disrupted by banditry, armed violence and other criminal activities.
The Chief of Army Staff also approved the posting of newly graduated soldiers to various formations and operational theatres across the country to boost manpower and operational effectiveness. The statement noted that the troops arrived in the Joint Operations Area with high morale and strong combat readiness.
Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, welcomed the soldiers and urged them to apply the skills and discipline gained from their Special Forces training. He stressed the need for professionalism, resilience and commitment, warning that the operational environment requires decisive action against criminal elements.
General Gara further advised the troops to maintain good relations with host communities, respect human rights and collaborate closely with other security agencies. He also reminded them to uphold operational security and adhere strictly to the Nigerian Army’s core values and rules of engagement.
The deployment is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace and normalcy to affected communities across the three states.
