That day’s events were unexpected. When members of some feared gangs publicly denounced their illegal activity and capped their confession with the return of weapons and a petition for prayers and forgiveness for the horrors they had previously caused, everyone was caught off guard.

Some of the locals were moved to tears of joy by this public display of contrition and willingness to give up their war weapons and embrace peace.

A few weeks after Jonathan Modi, the chairman of Benue State’s Ukum Local Government Area, announced that at least 300 armed militia members had walked away from banditry and adopted a new life in that part of the town, it was also a culmination of good news. In addition to kidnapping, members of the infamous group had previously committed other crimes such as murder, maiming, and property destruction.

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The three LGAs of Ukum, Kastina-Ala, and Logo comprise the so-called Sankera axis of Benue, which is renowned for its enormous yam production as well as a few other cash crops. Prior to this, the prevalent perception was that these violent gangs controlled the affairs of these areas.

Unfortunately, for about ten years, the gangs’ heinous actions hindered the people’s farming activity and made the area a haven for criminals.

The terrified locals and neighbours who have been living as victims of armed gangs for years were relieved when the chairman of the Ukul LGA announced that the vast number of militia were prepared to surrender and embrace peace.

However, many members of the community were not surprised by the news because some of the most feared militant leaders have recently started to appear in public for the first time, asking for peace and promising to personally stop the unrelenting bloodshed in the area.

In reality, a lot of people who attended these events were shocked to see the young men whose names made the wealthy, the impoverished, and even the community’s top leaders shudder for the first time.

For the first time, young men who went by names like “Chen,” “Full Fire,” and “Overall Konyo” and were the sons of the late Terwase Agwaza, also known as “Gana,” were spotted speaking in public to groups of religious, traditional, and community leaders as well as the rural residents who had borne the brunt of their rivalry and activities over the years, including violent battles for control and supremacy.

Everyone was in complete awe and disbelief at these feared young men’s remarkable public appearance.

However, in recent weeks and months, the Most Rev. Isaac Dugu, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala, has been leading the peace initiative to get all the “bad boys” to surrender their weapons and accept peace in order to make the state safer and more peaceful so that economic prosperity can return.

Every public gathering in Chito, Zaki Biam, and other important towns featured the bishop’s peace initiative. There, gang leaders and their hundreds of “troops” met with the cleric and promised to put down their weapons and embrace a new life of peace.

Arewa Voice is aware that the gang leaders and their boys reaffirmed their whole commitment to bringing peace back to Sankera during the sessions.

“Two days ago, the Bishop was with ‘Full Fire,’ and they spoke,” the Ukum chairman stated before to the final capitulation and acceptance of peace. The young man has already given himself up as I speak to you. He declared that he had lost interest in the underworld business, aside from interacting with the Bishop. He claimed that he is tired of being in the jungle and that he wants his people to return to farming so that he may rest.

The other group, led by “Chen,” has also been contacted by the Bishop. I have given them a platform and have been speaking to them like a brother. I requested them to go, and I’ve already instructed our security heads in Ukum LGA that since they’re willing to accept peace, no one should be taken into custody.

According to reports, the remorseful militia leaders also asked for prayers and forgiveness from the populace, promising to keep the peace in their towns.

During the several sessions, the bishop told the militia commanders and their groups that they needed to adopt a more peaceful approach and modify their ways.

After years of failed attempts by previous governments and local leaders to bring the warlords to a peace table, Bishop Dugu’s peace initiative continues to receive thunderous applause throughout the state. However, it is anticipated that the government will take the initiative to guarantee enduring peace in Sankera.

After multiple failed attempts by successive governments and the unsuccessful declaration of amnesty for repentant bandits in the past, it was said that Bishop Dugu, who is highly revered by the people of Sankera, took on the responsibility of assisting the government and the people in establishing peace reign in the troubled Sankera part of the state.

Since the Hyacinth Alia-led administration has not released a formal announcement to that effect, it is anticipated that the most recent move will allow the Benue State government to offer amnesty to the repentant criminals.

However, the Chairman of Ukum LGA gave a hint as to what would happen next, implying that the Governor would undoubtedly speak with the Bishop about the peace proposal and then make a decision regarding the future of the bandits who had repented.

Modi underlined that once the Bishop presents his report to the Governor, the Governor will speak with each boy individually. We won’t know what is available to them until they have met with the governor.

However, we are making every effort at the local government level since, as you are aware, it is difficult to recruit such youngsters and to retain them. For this reason, we have been providing them with stipends.

They require resources and are out of the bush. A few of them have been discussing their families and other related topics. In order to keep them, I have been attempting to figure out how I can provide them some stipends. Furthermore, I am aware that the Benue State governor has more ambitious plans for the lads.