No fewer than 1,000 militias are currently occupying forests in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Ukum LGA Chairman Jonathan Modi disclosed this to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday.
Ukum LGA is one of the most notorious local government areas in the Sankera axis (the axis comprising Ukum, Logo and Katana Ala LGAs), which is the hotspot of crime in the state.
According to the chairman, the militias belong to two faction leaders known as Full Fire and Chain, which emerged after the military killed warlord Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana, in September 2020.
The Ukum council leader described the local government as a haven for criminals under the supervision of Full Fire and Chain, who daily recruit many boys to live permanently in the forests and bushes from where they launch attacks.
However, the local government chairman said the council had a success story to tell as many of the militias had now embraced peace after engaging with traditional and religious leaders.
To restore confidence in the repentant militias, the council leader said he had advised against arresting any of them because of their past nefarious activities.
According to him, through interactions and engagements, over 300 bandits have already come out of the forest to work for peace.
He said: “Just the 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.
“He said he was no longer interested in crime and banditry, he wanted his people to return to the farm, he wanted to rest and he was tired of being in the bush.
“I talk to these guys, we took photos with them and I gave them that confidence. There are many.
“We have over 1,000 of them in Ukum LGA alone. I don’t know of any other local government areas in the Sankara axis, but there are over 1,000 in Ukum. And so far over 300 of them have already left the forest and we are continuously communicating with each other.”
He said he had given instructions through Ukum LGA security chiefs that no one should be arrested.
“As I speak to you, no one will harass or kidnap you anymore if you go to Ukum LGA.
“The kidnapping rate has been reduced to 75 percent and we have achieved peace in Sankara axis of Ukum Local Government Area since I came on board,” Modi said.
The council leader also said there were plans to rehabilitate the repentant militias.
