Thousands of armed bandits loyal to two deadly criminal gangs called, ‘Full Fire’ and ‘Chain’, are presently occupying the forests and bushes of Ukum Local Government Area of Sankara axis of Benue State.
This was disclosed to journalists over the weekend by the executive chairman of Ukum Local Government Council, Jonathan Modi.
Modi stated that what they have in Ukum is a mafia, and lethal criminal gangs consisting 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.
Ukum LGA is one of the three local government areas that form the Sankara axis of the state.
The axis has continued to witness an unprecedented wave of kidnappings, maiming, killings, displacements of people, and disruption of socio-economic activities as well as holding communities hostage for ransom.
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.
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 instilled confidence in them on the need to embrace peace and restore security to Zaki-Biam and the entire Ukum axis.
He said through such interactions and engagements, over 300 armed bandits have already come 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 had already surrendered himself.
“He said he is no longer interested in criminality and banditry, that his people should go back to the farm, that he wants to rest, and that he is tired of being in the bush.
“I also talked 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 the Sankara axis yet, but in Ukum there 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.
“I am 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 youth.
“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 is 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.”
Insecurity: Thousands of armed militias occupying Ukum in Benue – Council Chair, Modi
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