Olayiwola Matthew
Indications have emerged that the Department of State Services (DSS) wrote to the commander of operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Moses Gara, about planned attacks on communities in Benue and Nasarawa states in May, 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 Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA of Benue, killing over 200 people, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and farmers.
In a leaked memo dated May 13, the secret police said intelligence revealed that suspected “Fulani militias” were planning to attack settlements in Awe LGA, Nasarawa state, and other communities “anytime soon”.
In the memo, DSS said its checks revealed 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 revealed that there were also plans to attack Tiv settlements and border communities between Nasarawa and Benue states by “suspected armed Fulani mercenaries”.
Yelewata, which later fell under an attack that claimed over 100 lives, was one of the communities identified in the memo.
“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 memo reads.
“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 Yelwata-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.”
In May, Moses Gara, commander of the OPWS, held a “high-level meeting” with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) 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.
Following the recent killings, Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), said troops were in Yelewata on the day of the attack but were misled by false information that another community was under siege.
Musa said the assailants attacked Yelewata after the troops moved to the other community.
“Because of the insider information, on the actual day that it (attack) happened, the troops were there,” the CDS said.
“There was a fake attack in the other village when the troops moved in; that is when they came to attack the other one. That is what happened.”
Meanwhile, the DSS, DHQ and Army were yet to comment on the development as at the time of filling the report.