Benue Leaders Welcome Nigerian, US Special Forces Deployment
By Ekani Olikita
Tse-Kaseve community in Katsina-Ala County of Benue State, is mourning following the killing of two police inspectors and four Christian residents.
Residents said the assault occurred on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at about 4 p.m. when over 150 armed men, reportedly riding on about 100 motorcycles, stormed the village from the Taraba State border.
Witnesses alleged the attackers spoke Fulfulde and shouted “Allahu Akbar” as they opened fire on security personnel and villagers.
The two police inspectors were reportedly guarding the community at the time of the attack.
Katsina-Ala County Chairman Speaks
Katsina-Ala County Chairman, Honorable Justine Shaku, condemned the killings, describing them as a coordinated invasion by armed militia attempting to regroup after previous security operations.
“The attackers were Fulani Ethnic Militia who invaded Tse-Kaseve village from the Taraba border, speaking Fulani Language, chanting Allahu Akbar, shooting sporadically at policemen and residents. Two policemen and four residents were gruesomely murdered,” Shaku said in a telephone interview with TruthNigeria.
He added that military, police and other paramilitary personnel have since been deployed to the area and that the situation has been brought under control.
Benue Leaders Hail Nigeria, US Special Forces Deployment
Meanwhile, traditional, religious, academic and youth leaders across Benue State have welcomed the deployment of Nigerian special forces to the restive Middle Belt and 200 United States’ Special Troops to train Nigerian Military, describing the moves as timely amid worsening insecurity.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement signed by Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), announced the deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion XV to Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
According to the statement, the specially trained troops recently completed intensive training at the Nigerian Army Training Centre in Kontagora and are expected to serve as a force multiplier in ongoing operations.
“The troops demonstrated high morale and combat readiness upon arrival,” Zubairu said, adding that their mission includes dismantling criminal networks, protecting farming communities and restoring socio-economic activities disrupted by armed violence.
In addition, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed that the United States has approved the deployment of 200 Special Forces personnel to provide training and technical support to Nigerian troops.
“We are getting US troops to assist in training and technical support,” Major General Samaila Uba told AFP.
Traditional, Religious Leaders React
A traditional ruler in Gwer-West County, Chief Daniel Abomtse, described the deployment as “a long-awaited intervention.”
“For years, our communities have lived under constant fear. The arrival of specially trained forces sends a strong signal that the government is serious about reclaiming our lands,” he told TruthNigeria.
He urged security agencies to collaborate closely with local vigilantes and community leaders for improved intelligence gathering.
Rev. Fr. Michael Aondo of the Makurdi Diocese in an interview with TruthNigeria, said the joint Nigerian-US effort offers renewed hope to displaced families.
“Our congregations have suffered repeated attacks. We welcome any genuine effort that will restore peace and allow our people to return home. Justice and rehabilitation for victims must accompany military action, he said.
Dr. Sunday Ocheje, a political scientist at Benue Polytechnic Ugbokolo, described the deployment as a strategic recalibration of counter-insurgency operations in the Middle Belt.
“The introduction of highly trained special forces, supported by international technical expertise, suggests a shift toward intelligence-driven operations,” he told TruthNigeria.
However, he emphasized the need for accountability and community engagement to avoid civilian harm.
Youth leader Speaks
Comrade Samuel Tivta, a youth coordinator in Guma County, said residents are eager for tangible results.
“What matters is whether our people can sleep peacefully and farm without fear. Security is directly linked to economic survival,” he told TruthNigeria.
Kenneth Angbo, the Lawmaker representing Otukpo/Akpa Constituency in Benue State House of Assembly, has expressed cautious optimism over the deployment of Special forces.
“I wholeheartedly welcome the new military deployment, but I don’t think there will be any significant improvement as several deployments and trainings happened in the past without any positive change. Our military are only reactive after an attack instead of being proactive to prevent any attack”, Angbo told TruthNigeria.
Security analyst and the Zonal Commander of Benue State Civil Protection Guards, Benue South, Pablo Williams Agada, described the Nigerian-US collaboration as “a positive force multiplier.”
“The Special Intervention Battalion XV is trained for rapid response and precision operations. With US technical support in intelligence and surveillance, the impact could be substantial,” he told TruthNigeria.
However, he cautioned that sustained logistics, actionable intelligence and political will would determine long-term success.
“Special forces can achieve results, but without adequate funding and inter-agency coordination, gains may be temporary,” Pablo warned.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
