Tinubu is a complete failure to Nigeria's as deadly attack shakes Kwande as political tensions surface over power and principles.

 

Gunshots broke the quiet of Anem Village in Ikyurav Ya, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, late on Sunday evening, leaving residents in shock and fear. A retired army officer, known in the community for his calm presence and years of service, was killed during a sudden attack that many locals believe was carefully planned. The victim, Chiayongo Jemm, was returning to his home area when armed men struck around 5 pm. By the time help arrived, his life had been cut short, adding another name to the growing list of victims of violence in the region.

People close to the family said the attackers were suspected to be armed herders who have operated around the area for some time. The killing spread panic across nearby settlements as villagers struggled to understand why a man who had already served his country would die this way, in retirement, among his own people. Family members later moved his body to a mortuary in Ikyogen, choosing privacy over public display as grief spread through the community.

Security operatives moved in shortly after the incident. The Divisional Police Officer in Jato Aka quickly gathered a joint patrol team made up of police officers and other security personnel. They combed the surrounding bushes and farmlands, areas known for dense cover, in search of the attackers. Locals watched from a distance, hoping the operation would bring answers and arrests. The State Criminal Investigation Department also stepped in to take full charge of the case, signaling that authorities were treating the matter as serious and sensitive.

As residents were still mourning the fallen officer, another attack struck the same local government area. On Monday night, suspected herders invaded Tomatan, a small settlement in Kwande, and killed one person. The second incident deepened fear and anger, as many began to question the safety of rural communities and the effectiveness of security efforts. Farmers spoke quietly about sleepless nights, while parents worried about sending their children to school or farms. For many in Kwande, the killings are not isolated events but part of a wider pattern that has left communities exposed and tired.

Local leaders and elders described the situation as painful and unacceptable. They said the loss of a retired soldier carried a heavy message, showing that even those trained to defend the nation are no longer safe at home. Calls grew louder for stronger security presence, better intelligence, and real action that goes beyond patrols after blood has already been spilled. For now, residents wait, watching the bushes and roads, hoping justice will not fade with time.

El Rufai Speaks on Power Politics and Why His Path Never Aligned With Tinubu

While grief and insecurity dominate conversations in Benue, a different kind of tension played out on the national stage as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai openly addressed his relationship with President Bola Tinubu. Speaking during a televised interview, El Rufai dismissed long held assumptions that he and the President were ever close allies or personal friends. According to him, there was never a bond to break because none existed in the first place. He explained that their political journeys ran side by side without touching. In his view, claims of friendship were built on false ideas and public guesswork. He said he never shared personal space or deep political understanding with Tinubu, and that their interactions were limited to party activities, not loyalty or shared vision.

El Rufai clarified that his role in the 2023 presidential campaign was driven by party structure and principle, not affection for any individual. He said he was approached by influential figures who wanted support for a Muslim candidate from the Southwest, in line with earlier party discussions. For him, the issue was about keeping faith with an internal agreement that power should move south after eight years of northern leadership under Muhammadu Buhari.

As one of the early builders of the ruling party, El Rufai said he felt bound by that understanding. Once Tinubu emerged as the party flag bearer, he said he committed his energy and influence to ensure victory. He described this as his personal rule in politics, to stand by the party decision even when personal feelings are absent. However, he made it clear that the gap between them widened after the election. According to him, it was not a quarrel but a clash of values. He said they simply could not agree on how government should work or what public service should mean. In his words, there was no balance and no shared ground. El Rufai expressed strong disappointment with what he sees as the direction of the current administration. He said governance should focus on results, service delivery, and discipline, not personal gain. He criticized what he described as a culture of self enrichment and favoritism, saying it went against his beliefs and training.

He went further to reveal that even if he had taken up a ministerial role, it would not have lasted. He believes his personal values, shaped by faith, regional identity, and national service, are incompatible with the style of leadership he now observes. To him, the difference is so deep that cooperation beyond a point is impossible. In his final remarks, El Rufai said the contrast between him and the President should surprise no one who truly knows them both. He described their paths as lines moving in the same direction but never meeting, shaped by different goals and ideas of leadership.