Herdsmen attack: President Jonathan deploys Military Officers in Benue, Plateau

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the chief of defence staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, to mobilise joint military operations in Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau states with a view to curbing the incessant Fulani herdsmen attacks that have become rampant there.

Jonathan was said to have given the directive at the weekend, while troops have already been deployed for a major offensive in Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau states that have been experiencing seemingly endless attacks from the Fulani herdsmen always armed with sophisticated weapons.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by the Defence Headquarters and signed by its spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, the operations involved all the security agencies and the police.

“The internal security operation is meant to capture and neutralize all the enclaves of criminal gangs. The Nigerian Air Force, police and other security agencies are also participating in the operation designed to restore peace in the affected states.

“Law-abiding citizens are enjoined to cooperate by providing timely and useful information to facilitate the operation as it affects their localities,” the military stated. - Leadership News