Over 1000 armed bandits belonging to two deadly criminal groups called, ‘Full Fire’ and ‘Chain’, are presently occupying the forests and bushes of Ukum Local Government Area of Sankara axis of Benue State.
The executive chairman of Ukum Local Government Council, Jonathan Modi disclosed this on Sunday while speaking with journalists during the birthday celebration of the Chief of Staff to the Benue State Governor, Saint Paul Biam, in Makurdi, the State capital.
Ukum LGA is one of the three local government areas that form the Sankara axis of the state.
The other two are Katsina-Ala and Logo LGs)
The axis has continued to witness unprecedented wave of kidnappings, maiming, killings, displacements of people, and disruption of socioeconomic activities as well as holding of communities hostage for ransom.
Mr. Modi stated that what they have in Ukum is mafia, and lethal criminal gangs comprising of Full Fire and Chain that have recruited so many boys who permanently lived in the forest and bushes where they come from to unleash terror on people of the area.
He however said upon assumption of office, he was able to engage the militia boys and some of them have volunteered to leave the forest.
He added that he issued a directive as the chief security officer of the local government area, that nobody should be arrested on account of being a militia.
Mr. Modi explained that upon assumption of office barely one month ago, he was able to create a platform where he engaged the criminals in discussions and instill confidence in them on the need to embrace peace and restore security to Zaki- Biam and the entire Ukum axis.
According to him, through such interactions and engagements, over 300 armed bandits have already came out of the forest to embrace peace, while more are still being expected.
“Two days ago, Bishop Dugu was with the Full Fire group where he engaged the leader, and they spoke and the young man has already surrendered himself.
“He said he is no longer interested in criminality and banditry, that his people to go back to farm, that he wants to rest, and that he is tired of being in the bush.
“I also talk to these boys, we took photographs together and I have been giving them that confidence. They are many in number.
“We have over 1000 of them in Ukum LGA alone. I don’t know of other local government areas in Sankara axis yet, but in Ukum they are over 1000. And so far, over 300 of them are already out of the forest and we are communicating steadily with each other.
“Most of them have confessed that for the past three to four years they have not seen the town called Zaki- Biam. That confession is on record. I made that possible because I was called to serve.
“Iam well prepared for this job of chairmanship and am barely three weeks in office and I have done a lot in the aspect of security.
“I used diplomacy to bring these boys out of their hideouts. It’s brain work, not magic, I have to think because am a youth and I know what is good for the youths.
“I have that confidence and for me to do that, most of them have been calling that I made them to come to Zaki Biam town. Right now as I talk to you peace has returned to Ukum LGA up to 75%. I have engaged the militias and they are out now.
“The traditional rulers are also doing a lot by engaging these boys. Also, the church headed by the Catholic Bishop of Katsina- Ala diocese, Rev. Fr. Dugu is also doing well by engaging them.
“So, today the Bishop has also engaged the other group headed by Chain. I have been talking to them as a brother, as a friend and I have given them a platform and asked them to come out and they have come out.
“So, I have already given instructions through our security heads that we have in Ukum LGA as chief security officer, that nobody should be arrested.”