LG Chair reveals over 1,000 militias occupying Benue forests
No fewer than 1,000 militias are reportedly occupying the forests of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State.
This information was disclosed by Ukum LGA Chairman, Jonathan Modi, during a press briefing in Makurdi on Saturday.
Ukum LGA is recognised as one of the most affected regions in the Sankera axis, which encompasses Ukum, Logo, and Katsina Ala LGAs, notorious for a high incidence of criminal activities.
According to the chairman, the militias are under the control of two splinter group leaders known as Full Fire and Chain, who emerged after the death of notorious warlord Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana, in September 2020.
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Modi characterised the local government as a haven of criminals under the watch of Full Fire and Chain who daily recruit many boys living permanently in the forest and bushes from where they launch attack.
The local government chairman, however, said the council had a success story to tell as many of the militias now embraced peace, following his efforts in collaboration with traditional and religious leaders.
To repose confidence in the repentant militias, the council boss said he had advised against arresting any of them on account of their past nefarious activities.
According to him, through interactions and engagements, over 300 bandits had already come out of the forest to embrace peace.
He said, “Just a day before yesterday, Bishop Dugu was with the Full Fire group where he engaged the leader, they spoke and the young man has already surrendered himself.
“He said he is no longer interested in criminality and banditry, that he wants his people to go back to the farm, that he wants to rest, and that he is tired of being in the bush.
“I do talk to these boys, we snapped pictures with them and I have been giving them that confidence. There are many.
“We have over 1,000 of them in Ukum LGA alone. I don’t know of other local government areas in the Sankara axis yet, but in Ukum there are over 1,000. And so far, over 300 of them are already out of the forest and we are communicating steadily with each other.”
He said he had given instructions through the security heads in Ukum LGA that nobody should be arrested.
“As I speak with you, if you go to Ukum LGA, nobody is going to harass or kidnap you again.
“Kidnapping has been reduced to 75 per cent and we have achieved peace in the Sankara axis of Ukum Local Government Area since I came on board,” Modi said.
The council boss also said plans were on to rehabilitate the repentant militias.
Proofreading by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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