The Department of State Services, DSS, may have hinted the Military High Command of the planned attack on rural communities in Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states.
Reports by The Cable Online claimed that in May the secret police wrote a letter to Moses Gara, commander of operation Whirl Stroke, about planned attacks on some communities, according to a leaked memo.
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, launched operation Whirl Wind Stroke in Benue in 2018.
The operation comprises the military, police, and DSS.
On June 13, gunmen attacked Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA of Benue, killing over 200 people, including internally displaced persons and farmers.
The memo dated May 13 by DSS disclosed that suspected “Fulani militias” were planning to attack settlements in Awe LGA, Nasarawa state, and other communities “anytime soon”.
In the memo, DSS said intelligence showed that the planned attack was to avenge an alleged seizure of some cows by the state government.
The communication identified the communities marked for attack as Mararaba, Jangargari, Wurgi, Gidan Antonny, Akon, Usende, Gaar, Vandikya, Chiata, Dooga, Gidan Baban Yara, Apelle, Pantaki, Kaambe and the Stadium area
The memo also disclosed that there were plans to attack Tiv settlements and border communities between Nasarawa and Benue states by “suspected armed Fulani mercenaries”.
Yelweta, which later fell under an attack that claimed over 100 lives, was one of the communities identified in the memo.
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“Reports indicate that they have been holding a series of meetings in Akpanaja, Rukuhi and Andori settlements in Doma LGA and have stationed their men at designated forests for a coordinated offensive against the Tiv communities.
“The militias are currently hibernating at Amako and Igbabo forest located between Mkoma and Doka villages in Doma LGA and Ikom forest, located few kilometers away from Yelweta-Udei-Ukohol and Kadarko Railway in Keana LGA and are planning to attack Agatu, Gwer West/Gwer East/part of Makurdi LGA, as well as Guma and Loko Communities, all in Benue State”, the memo.
**ARMY HELD HIGH LEVEL MEETING OVER BENUE ATTACKS — DAYS AFTER MEMO**
In May, Moses Gara, commander of the OPWS, held a “high-level meeting” with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria in Makurdi, Benue capital, over the constant attacks in the state.
Lawal Osabo, acting assistant director of army public relations, 401 special forces brigade/sector 1 OPWS, in a statement issued on May 28, said the engagement brought together critical stakeholders, including security agencies and local government authorities.
Osabo said the meeting addressed persistent security threats such as farmer-herder conflicts, retaliatory attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling in Benue state.
He added that the concerns raised during the engagement would be tabled before the state government and relevant security agencies.
Crediblenewsng.com
