The North Central Youth Development and Peace Agenda has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces for their collaborative efforts to restore peace in Benue State and other parts of the North Central region. This commendation was made in light of recent operations that have led to improved security in the area. The group specifically praised the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for his role in sustained military operations.
Recent operations under Operation Whirl Stroke have yielded positive results, including the rescue of seven kidnap victims in Ohimini Local Government Area and the recovery of arms and ammunition following operations against suspected kidnappers in Katsina-Ala. The Special Intervention Battalion has also maintained relative calm in Guma Local Government Area for several months, enabling more than 1,000 internally displaced persons to return to their communities.
The North Central Youth Development and Peace Agenda cited the reported security improvements as underscoring the importance of sustained military operations and collaboration among security agencies and other stakeholders in restoring stability to affected communities across the region. The group's leader, Ambassador Marcus Adams Odoba, expressed appreciation for President Tinubu's firm commitment to securing the North Central and the professional leadership of General Olufemi Oluyede.
Ambassador Odoba stated that the Armed Forces have demonstrated courage, consistency, and strategic focus in protecting lives and property. He commended the CDS for the effective blend of kinetic operations and community engagement that has made these gains possible. Many families are now returning to their ancestral homes because of this collaborative approach.
The group noted that additional troop deployments, improved coordination among security agencies, and the planned establishment of a new military division covering Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa have strengthened the operational capacity of forces on the ground. These measures, backed by presidential directives, have contributed to a noticeable decline in violent incidents across previously volatile communities.
President Tinubu's repeated emphasis on multi-stakeholder collaboration—bringing together the military, state governments, traditional institutions, and local communities—was described as a critical factor in the progress recorded so far. The North Central Youth Development and Peace Agenda stressed that such synergy must be sustained to consolidate the relative peace now being experienced.
The North Central Youth Development and Peace Agenda reaffirmed its readiness to support ongoing peacebuilding efforts and to mobilise young people towards dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and partnership with security agencies. The group called on youths to reject violence and actively contribute to protecting the hard-won gains, with Ambassador Odoba expressing confidence that with continued presidential support and the focused leadership of the CDS, the region would maintain its trajectory towards stability and progress.
Key points
- The North Central Youth Development and Peace Agenda commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces for collaborative efforts to restore peace in Benue State and other parts of the North Central region.
- Recent operations under Operation Whirl Stroke have yielded positive results, including the rescue of kidnap victims and recovery of arms and ammunition.
- Sustained military operations and collaboration among security agencies and stakeholders are crucial in restoring stability to affected communities.
