After 10 Years In The Forest, Armed Gangs Surrendered to the Bishop
By Mike Odeh James and Olikita Ekani
EXCLUSIVE TO TRUTHNIGERIA
(Makurdi) They are coming out of the thick forests of Northeast Benue State and hoping to trade in their AK 47 rifles for tractors and bags of fertilizer.
The so-called bandits of Sankera, an area covering Logo, Ukum, and Katsina counties, bordering Taraba State and the neighboring nation of Cameroon, have killed their neighbors and been hunted by them for a decade.
Observers of the complex conflict that has killed thousands of Christian farm families hope that the voluntary retirement of the gangs of mercenaries will allow the military to quash the Islamist militias that hired them.
A peace initiative orchestrated by Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and led by Bishop Isaac Bundepuun Dugu is bringing hope to communities ravaged by violence and poverty, according to sources speaking to TruthNigeria.
Decades of Devastation
The lush, green Sankera region in Benue State was once a thriving agricultural hub, renowned for productive farms exporting yams, cassava, and beniseed.
However, the three counties have been devastated by 15 years of heartless murder by Fulani-tribe militias and local Tiv-tribe gangs.
According to David Adakole Idah, former Commissioner in the United Nations office for Human Rights Commission, Tiv gangs have been bleeding their communities like a rural mafia.
“They ‘re extorting money and crops from Tiv farmers, kidnapping people for ransom, and engaging in fierce rival clashes that often result in deaths,” Idah told TruthNigeria.
“These gang leaders command a significant following, with some having over 400 men under their control,” he went on to say.
“What’s even more concerning is that rival gangs are joining forces with the Fulani militia, who are outsiders [nonindigenous to Benue], to launch attacks on Tiv communities.
This alliance has led to an influx of Fulani terrorists from Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger Republic into Sankera, sparking fears that the region may descend into lawlessness.
“The situation is dire as there is a growing fear of Jihadists roaming freely in Ayati, Chito, Borokiyo and Sai and the whole of Sankera axis just like the Jihadists are doing in Zamfara and Katsina, “he said.
More than 1000 people have lost their lives and more than 35,000 have been displaced in 2024 alone due to the violence in Sankera axis of Benue, Idah said.
Theophilus Ahangba Ayati, an Ayati Community leader and an official in Gov. Alia’s government, told Truthnigeria that his community alone has seen 35, 000 persons displaced while over 75 others were killed between the months of July to August alone.
“The killings are ongoing, the displacements are ongoing except during these few weeks in which we see the military in Katsina Ala and Zaki Biam,” Ahangba said.
The latest mass killings happened in August of 2024, when Fulani militia aided by local Tiv gangsters killed more than 72 persons, burned down houses, destroyed farmstead and farm and then chased over 35000 indigenous Tiv’s out of the community.
Government Peace Initiative Fails
Governor Alia took a significant step towards peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of mass killings, kidnapping, and banditry. He offered amnesty to local Tiv militia who were willing to lay down their arms.
Building on this initiative, on January 14th, 2024, Governor Alia reached out to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sankera chapter, and Traditional Rulers to intervene with Tiv bandits. He urged them to persuade these groups to abandon violence, paving the way for their reintegration into society.
This move aims to address the long-standing conflicts in the region, particularly between the Tiv people and the local Tiv militia.
The Tiv people, predominantly Christian, have a rich cultural heritage and history in Nigeria, dating back to the 19th century. By Involving the Catholic church, Gov. Alia reportedly hopes to gain the trust of the gang leaders .
Alia assured that no local militia would be killed or prosecuted if they laid down their arms. However, the amnesty failed to attract significant surrender from the terrorizing gangs, prompting the state Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Aboh to raise an alarm.
Alia himself also expressed his disappointment with the refusal of the local gangs to embrace his olive branch, when he openly stated that his government would withdraw the olive branch to the Sankera bandits. He gave the bandits up October 23, 2024 to accept the offer of face the consequences of their actions –meaning he, Alia, was ready to use the military to enforce the disarmament of the Tiv gangs.
Major General Edward Buba, chief spokesman for the military, has said on several venues where the Nigerian Army is fighting bandits that “the terrorists are left with no choice but to surrender or be killed on the battlefield.” Thousands of bandit terrorists reportedly have been killed in action since aggressive military campaigns in northwestern states began last year.
Why Local Gangs Reject Amnesty
Rev. Father Jacob Ankaau, Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Ayati, has identified the deep-seated mistrust between local Tiv gangs and militias and the federal government as a significant hurdle to achieving peace in the region.
According to Fr. Ankaau, these groups are hesitant to surrender their arms due to fear of being killed.
“The 2020 incident involving Terwase Akwaza aka Gana, the leader of the Tiv militias gangs, has exacerbated this mistrust.
“Despite being offered amnesty by the Benue State Government after a decade-long search, Gana’s surrender ended in an ambush by the Army. He was taken away and his body was never found again, Fr. Ankaau said.
“This event has led to heightened tensions, with Gana’s affiliated gangs and associates returning to the forest to perpetuate violence,” Fr. Ankaau said to TruthNigeria.
The stalemate continued until Bishop Dugu of Katsina-Ala Catholic Diocese, came onto the scene.
Catholic Church Brokers Peace
Following the refusal of local militants to embrace Alia’s peace Initiatives, Bishop Dugu, Chairman of Sankera Peace Committee and the Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, took bold action.
“Undeterred by the risks, he ventured into the forests of Sankera to engage with the terrorists personally, demonstrating unwavering commitment to peace,” Fr. Ankauu told TruthNigeria.
“Bishop Dugu went to more than four different forested locations to meet the terrorising gangs without military or police escorts, thereby putting his life on the line,” he added.
“The Bishop met with Amakaa Konyo Overall, leader of a prominent militia group, in Kasar, on October 15, 2024. Konyo pledged to collaborate with the community to restore peace and rebuild vital infrastructure, including markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
This milestone followed Bishop Dugu’s meetings with other key militia leaders, including Terhemen Mzaga, alias “Fullfire,” in Chito on October 23, and Chen, alias “Dekela,” in Gbagir on October 25,
Both leaders renounced violence and committed to peace.
Dugu: Guarantor of Peace Process
To build trust, Bishop Dugu met with traditional chiefs from Chito, Sai, Zaki Biam, and Ayati. Bishop Dugu secured a commitment from the Benue State government that no surrendered bandits would be killed – as happened to Gana in 2020, according to Rev. Ankauu,
Bishop Dugu assured the bandits of their safety if they surrendered their arms and came out of the forests. To reinforce this message, he mobilized Christian leaders from various denominations, including: NKST Church (Universal Reformed Christian Church and the African Church).
Reverends Terlumun Shimo and John Shitile (NKST Church) accompanied Bishop Dugu into the forests, helping to persuade militants to lay down their arms for peace.
“Bishop Dugu’s tireless efforts have been instrumental in promoting peace in the region,” Fr. Ankauu noted.
Dugu’s Efforts Lauded
Bishop Dugu’s efforts to bring peace to the Sankera region are paying off, according to Fr. Jacob’s statement to Truthnigeria. Nearly 400 local gang members have surrendered their arms and renounced violence, with more willing to emerge from the forest.
“Approximately 400 local militias and their leaders have surrendered their arms, trusting that Bishop Dugu will help protect them and influence the government to rehabilitate them, and even facilitate education for those willing to return to school,” according to
Fr. Ankauu.
Fulani Militia: The Next Focus
“Currently, the emphasis is on pardoning and rehabilitating local gang members, ensuring they cease violence against Tiv’s,” Rev. Terlumun said to TruthNigeria. “Once this is achieved, the government will focus on the Fulani Ethnic Militia,” he added.
Local gang members were driven to violence by the federal government’s inaction against Fulani militia attacks on their communities, according to Rev. Terlumun. “They took up arms to defend themselves, but the federal government targeted them instead,” Rev. Terlumun said.
Fears of Militants Relapsing into Violence
Concerns linger that some gang members may renege on their commitments and return to violence after receiving benefits. Rev. Ankauu and Rev. Terlumun acknowledged these fears.
However, they expressed optimism due to the comprehensive rehabilitation plan implemented by Bishop Dugu and the Catholic Church. The plan includes retraining and education; constant church monitoring; provision of farm implements, and vocational skills training.
Rev. Ankauu concluded, “With this robust plan in place, it will be challenging for them to revert to their old ways.”
“It’s unlikely they’ll return to violence. Many are exhausted from over a decade of living in the forest, constantly fearing death. The significant military presence deployed to Sankera will also serve as a deterrent,” observed Rev. Terlumun.
Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita are conflict reporters with TruthNigeria and are from Benue State.
