Sankera Axis: Notorious Benue community for crisis

It is a general name for the place where mass killings have been taking place in Benue state. JOHN SHIAONDO reports.

Sankera, a region in Benue state, has in recent times  been plagued by a surge in violent crimes, including killings, kidnappings and banditry. 

The area, known for its rich cultural heritage and agricultural abundance, has been transformed into a hotbed of insecurity, leaving residents in a state of perpetual fear.

The rise in criminal activities can be attributed to various factors, including the proliferation of arms, ethnic tensions and the absence of effective security measures. The situation has been exacerbated by the lack of adequate response from the authorities, leaving the people to fend for themselves.

Residents of Sankera have recounted harrowing tales of attacks, abductions and murders. Many have lost loved ones, while others have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. The economic and social fabric of the community has been severely impacted, with farming and trading activities almost grinding to a halt.

Efforts to address the situation have been made, including the deployment of security personnel and establishment of vigilante groups. However, more needs to be done to restore peace and security to the area.

As a breeding ground for chaos

Sankera encompasses three local government areas namely, Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo local government areas of Benue state. These seemingly idyllic communities have become battlegrounds where homegrown bandits wield weapons against their own kin. 

Unlike external invaders, these criminals emerge from within, tearing apart families and disrupting lives. Their motives remain murky, but their actions are devastating.

Governor Hycinth Alia of Benue state while speaking with newsmen after he attended Sunday Mass on  July 28, 2024 at Government House Makurdi, expressed worry over banditary activities in the area, as he said that insecurity in the place is not caused by invaders but homegrown bandits with swords killing their fathers, mothers, brother and sisters.

“Many years ago, there had been some skirmishes from the area. What beats my imagination is that the instability is not created by the invaders but it is home grown. The bandits come out to kill their fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters and prevent them from coming out to go to their farms.

“In other climes, we talk about invaders who come from outside and kill the people in order to grab their lands, but in Sankera, this is a different story. It is strange but we cannot stop talking to them.

“I extended numerous olive branches to them. For those who wish to go to school, the state is willing to sponsor them to recreate their lives and for those trading, we will help them acquire skills, fund and establish for them the business they want to do.

“Unfortunately, those who want to come out are being attacked. They are fighting in the bush for superiority and to prevent those willing to come out and lay down their arms from doing so.”

Also the caretaker committee chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Justine Shaku, who in a recent interview lamented the activities of bandits in the area said they operate in a guerrilla-like warfare.

“It is a guerrilla warfare. They hit and run away. In the previous months, things were not too good but we were experiencing a calm atmosphere within this month of July only to witness more serious attacks.

“In the month of June, the security situation was very bad but this month, we had not witnessed such attacks. Even those whose houses they were ransacking in the council ward in question had moved back to their homes and things appeared to be calm before they started launching some deadly attacks”, Shaku stated.

The council  boss further confirmed that before the recent killings, some people were kidnapped including one Igbo man and his two children.

“In the recent days, there had been pockets of kidnappings in the area. They are the local terrorists. I no longer call them bandits again because I’m seeing elements of terrorism in their activities.

“So to me, I classify them as terrorists now, but terrorists within though they have external forces who are sponsoring and helping them to perpetrate the acts. The locals are the the major people that are doing it,” Shaku stressed.