With Nigeria on edge and Benue State signposting her multifaceted security challenges, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has been pointedly told to go beyong squealing of saboteurs within the security forces.
Public commentator Polycarp Gbaja echoed the nation’s rising fury, calling on the military to root out traitors within its ranks and confront what he described as an “invasion.”
“Find them. Expose them. Deal with them,” Gbaja said. “Then go after the murderous bastards from Sahel and their local sponsors who aim to occupy our ancestral lands. Let justice be swift and absolute. Enough is enough.”
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has expressed profound outrage over the relentless wave of violence sweeping through Benue State, particularly attacks allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen. In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, ANA decried the devastating toll the assaults have taken on local communities—leaving scores dead, thousands displaced, and entire settlements gripped by fear.
ANA President Usman Oladipo Akanbi and General Secretary Dame Joan Oji, condemned the atrocities in the “strongest possible terms,” calling the attacks “odious acts of violence” that have specifically targeted vulnerable groups, including women, children, and the elderly.
“The frequency and ferocity of these attacks are a chilling reminder of the urgent need for robust and sustained government intervention to protect lives and livelihoods,” the statement read.
The association urged both state and federal authorities to act decisively in addressing the root causes of the crisis and prioritize the protection of civilians, especially in rural areas. ANA reaffirmed its solidarity with affected communities in Benue and beyond, vowing to continue speaking out against injustice and advocating for human dignity.
Saboteurs in Uniform: Defence Chief Raises Alarm
In a startling development, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has alleged the involvement of saboteurs within the military, implicating them in the Yelwata massacre that claimed over 200 lives. Visiting the ravaged Guma Local Government Area, Musa stated that some military personnel have been leaking sensitive information to armed groups.
“The pattern of killings and destruction suggests insider involvement. The attacks were clearly targeted,” he said. “This is one killing too many.”
He promised a strategic overhaul and closer collaboration with local leaders to rebuild trust and improve intelligence-gathering.
President Tinubu Cancels Trip, Heads to Benue
Responding to the escalating crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu canceled a scheduled trip to Kaduna and redirected his itinerary to Makurdi, the Benue State capital. The visit, scheduled for Tuesday, underscores the Presidency’s recognition of the region’s worsening humanitarian and security challenges.
Accompanying the President is a high-powered delegation led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, including the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, heads of intelligence agencies, and senior lawmakers overseeing national defence.
While full details remain undisclosed, the Presidency confirmed that Tinubu will engage with traditional rulers, political and religious leaders, civil society, and youth representatives in a town hall-style forum aimed at consensus-building and conflict resolution.
Tinubu Pushes for State Policing Amid Security Breakdown
Meanwhile, at a legislative forum on constitutional reform, President Tinubu—represented by Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar—advocated for state police as part of broader efforts to revamp Nigeria’s security structure.
“This is no longer a theoretical debate,” he said. “Every day, Nigerians face fear in their farms, roads, and homes. We must decentralize security responsibility while maintaining national cohesion.”
Tinubu called for moving policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, allowing states with capacity to manage local security directly.
Benue Government in Turmoil Over Protest Fallout
Back in Benue, the political atmosphere grew more volatile following the sacking of two senior aides by the Governor’s office. Atu Terver Joseph, Principal Special Assistant on Youth and Media Mobilization, dismissed Chief of Staff John Ukeyima and Chief Press Secretary Lubem Terkula for joining a protest against the Yelwata killings.
In a suspension letter dated June 14, 2025, Terver accused the officials of betraying the administration and engaging in activities “against the state government.”
The dismissals have sparked sharp criticism across the state, with many accusing the government of silencing internal dissent rather than addressing the root of the violence.
“This is a disgrace,” said a protester. “They’re punishing people for standing with their communities and demanding justice.”
Supporters of the dismissed aides insist their actions stemmed from moral obligation, not political subversion.
