Critics Charge Violations of Peace Agreements
By Olikita Ekani
Fog of fear has settled in the Nigerian Northcentral State of Benue, as Nigerian troops carried out operations on surrendered gangsters, threatening to overturn recent peace treaties between the authorities and the so-called bandits.
The Nigerian Military on December 7 carried out a “Clearance Operation” on bandit hideouts in Ukum County, the site of informal peace agreements with local gangsters arranged in late October. In a press statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Capt. Olubunde Oni, “Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) under “Operation Golden Peace”, on 7 December 2024, conducted a well-coordinated clearance operation across the general areas of Akahagu and China villages in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.”
It has not been obvious to media what in the villages needed to be cleared since the local men had surrendered their weapons during peace negotiations with Bishop Isaac Bundepuun Dugu, the Catholic Bishop of Katsina Ala in October.
“The operation extended to Ikayor village, where troops engaged bandits at a camp linked to the notorious and wanted criminal Terhemen Mzaga, also known as Akiki U Tiv or “Full Fire.” The military did not report to TruthNigeria that any bandits were killed or wounded in the “operation,” nor was it explained why the operation was necessary.
“During the encounter, troops applied overwhelming firepower, forcing the bandits to abandon their positions and flee in disarray”.
“Following the engagement, a red Toyota Corolla vehicle and a motorcycle were recovered”, the statement said.
Why It Matters
The region of the controversy is called “Sankera,” a vast swath of rich farmland rolling out along three local governance areas – Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo counties. It is a region inhabited chiefly by Idoma people and is named for the three areas of Sanben, Akpa and Nkpogu in the Northeast of Benue. It’s been an ethnic killing zone for years, where Fulani-tribe terrorists and local Tiv mercenaries hired by them have been unleashing mayhem on the locals who are chiefly Catholic.
Benue Politicians Express Concerns
According to Hon Terseer Agber, Former Chairman of Logo County in a phone interview with TruthNigeria, “the attack is reminiscent of the military Operation that led to the death of a popular local man, also called a Bandit Leader, Terwase Akwaza (Gana), in 2020.
“We are currently enjoying peace in Sankera, but our people are living in fear right now because of the recent military operation. We don’t want anything that will thwart the peace agreement,” he said.
Similarly, Hon Theophilus Ahangba Ayati, in a phone interview with TruthNigeria, expressed fear of the backlash by gangs of the military Operation.
“Our people in Ayati community who just returned home after persistent attacks by Fulani terrorists and local Tiv armed bandits, who recently embraced peace, are living in fear for imminent backlash of the recent military operation on bandit enclaves,” Ayati said. “Most of our people are saying they are deserting the community again the day the troops are leaving in order to avoid the likely backlash for the military operation,” Ayati went on to say.
Following moral suasion by the Roman Catholic bishop of Katsina Ala in October, more than 300 armed gangsters, including their leaders such as Terhemen Mzaga (“Akiki U Tiv” or “Full Fire,”) Amakaa Overall Konyo, Oshoja Chen, James Aboh aka Anyogo, following series of Peace meetings with an Amnesty Committee set up by the Benue State Government and chaired by the Bishop of Katsina-Ala Catholic Diocese, Isaac Bundepuun Dugu in late October.
The Bishop succeeded to persuade local bandits to step down from collaborating with Fulani terrorists to attack, kidnap and kill locals in the counties of Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo. The gang leaders had agreed in late October to drop their arms and to embrace peace
Meanwhile, in the West border area of Benue in Agatu county, TruthNigeria reported the handshake peace agreement between the people of Agatu county and Fulani Ethnic Militia on Nov. 9, 2024 to stop all forms of violence and cattle rustling, a development that has returned a fragile Peace to the war-ravaged land.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter with TruthNigeria and is from Benue State.
