A Chief Magistrates' Court in Makurdi has ordered the remand of 11 cattle rearers at the Correctional Centre for allegedly terrorizing communities across Benue State. The court made this decision on Thursday during their arraignment on multiple charges.
The defendants, identified as Nanzir Ishaya, Suleiman Umaru, Yakubu Mallam, Dauda Abdulkarim, Manu Buhari, Haruna Abdulkarim, Ibrahim Mallam, Yunusa Waziri, Idi Usman, Adamu Manu, and Abdullahi Wakili, all reside in various locations within Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
Charges Filed Against the Suspects
The suspects face serious allegations including criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, acts of terrorism, open grazing, and possession of allegedly stolen cattle. Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongun did not take their pleas due to jurisdictional limitations and adjourned the case until July 7, 2025, for further mention.
According to prosecutor Inspector Godwin Ato, the arrests followed credible intelligence received on June 1 by policemen attached to Operation Zenda in Katsina-Ala. The information indicated that armed bandits, allegedly allied with notorious bandit leader Amakaa Akwaza, were spotted at a hideout in Nugu village with weapons.
Security Operation and Arrests
A joint team comprising Operation Zenda officers and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, led by Inspector Donald Ahulu, mobilized to the location where they engaged the suspects in a gun battle. The security forces reportedly overpowered the alleged bandits, causing some to flee, while recovering an AK-47 rifle with breech number 6189 and 16 rounds of live ammunition.
Ten suspects were apprehended while allegedly loading cattle, suspected to be stolen, into a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number TTM 405 XA Taraba. Some cattle were reportedly being openly grazed on a nearby farm at the time of arrest.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Abdullahi Wakili, identified as the chief of the Fulani community in Katsina-Ala. The prosecutor alleged that Wakili had been working with Akwaza to supply arms to herdsmen terrorizing Benue and surrounding areas.
Legal Implications
The charges against the defendants contravene multiple laws, including sections 6(b) and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004; section 19 of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue, 2017; and section 321 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.
This case comes amid ongoing tensions and security challenges in Benue State related to farmer-herder conflicts, which have resulted in numerous casualties and displacements in recent years.
