Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Over 1,000 militias occupying forest, Benue LG chair cries out

POSTED ON October 28, 2024 •   LOCAL NEWS      BY Benedicta Bassey
Militias invasion of Benue community

Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Jonathan Modi, said no fewer than 1,000 militias are currently occupying forest in the local government.

He disclosed this to journalists in Markudi on Sunday.

Ukum LGA is known as one of the notorious local government areas in the Sankera axis (the axis comprising Ukum, Logo and Katana Ala LGAs), which is the flashpoint of criminality in the state.

The militias, according to the chairman, belong to two splinter group leaders, known as Full Fire and Chain, who sprouted after the military killed the warlord, Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana in September 2020.

Modi described the local government as a den 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.

He noted that many of the militias have embraced peace, following his collaborative efforts 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.

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 also reiterated plans to rehabilitate repentant militias.

READ ALSO
NAPTIP Reports Alarming Rise in Human Trafficking Cases in Benue State
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

Director-general (D-G), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Bint...

READ ALSO
OOPL Demands N3.5 Billion Compensation from EFCC After Controversial Raid
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) has demanded N3.5 billion compen...

READ ALSO
Charges Against Comfort Emmanson Dropped, KWAM 1's Ban Shortened
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

The Federal Government has dropped its criminal charges against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger...

READ ALSO
EFCC Vows to Enforce Money Laundering Laws Following Currency Declaration Breach
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an investigation into Duru Damian,...

READ ALSO
Police Arrest 63-Year-Old Woman for Allegedly Abducting and Selling One-Year-Old Boy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

The Anambra State Police Command has taken a 63-year-old woman, Ngozi Muotuanya, into custody follow...

READ ALSO
68 Missing After Indian Catastrophic Flooding
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

Indian authorities report that at least 68 individuals remain missing a week after a devastating sur...

READ ALSO
Civil Society Group Demands Investigation into Comfort Emmanson's Treatment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

A Civil Society Organisation known as The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable...

READ ALSO
Obi Critiques Nigerian Justice System Amid Double Standards in Court Treatment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has criticized the court appe...

OUR CHANNELS:

Trump to Host South Korean President for Key Trade Agreement Talks on August 25
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

US President Donald Trump is set to welcome his South Korean counterpart on August 25 to finalize sp...


Farotimi Backs Obi's One-Term Presidency Proposal, Critiques Past Leadership Failures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

Farotimi supports Obi’s proposal for a one-term presidency, stating that “Obasanjo and B...


Sudan's Stunning 4-0 Victory Sends Super Eagles Packing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

On Tuesday, Sudan decisively defeated the higher-ranked Nigeria 4-0 in Zanzibar, securing the top po...


EFCC Vows to Enforce Money Laundering Laws Following Currency Declaration Breach
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an investigation into Duru Damian,...


Police Arrest 63-Year-Old Woman for Allegedly Abducting and Selling One-Year-Old Boy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

The Anambra State Police Command has taken a 63-year-old woman, Ngozi Muotuanya, into custody follow...


68 Missing After Indian Catastrophic Flooding
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

Indian authorities report that at least 68 individuals remain missing a week after a devastating sur...


FG Champions Cocoa Industry for Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

The Federal Government has reiterated its dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s cocoa sector while...


Civil Society Group Demands Investigation into Comfort Emmanson's Treatment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

A Civil Society Organisation known as The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable...


Panic in ADC as EFCC Targets Coalition Leaders amid Allegations of Fraud
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

Panic has set in within the African Democratic Congress as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commiss...


Obi Critiques Nigerian Justice System Amid Double Standards in Court Treatment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has criticized the court appe...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu