Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has disclosed that the local bandits terrorising the Sankera axis of the state have shunned measures put in place to rehabilitate them.
The governor made this disclosure on Sunday in Makurdi while reviewing the activities of bandits in Ukum, Katsina-Ala, and Logo LGAs that make up the Sankera axis.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the Sankera axis has remained the flashpoint of criminality over the years and the killing of their kingpin, Terwase Akwaza aka Gana by the military in 2020 had worsened the security situation in the axis as his trained boys have split into groups of rag-tag armies.
The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo had exclusively told our correspondent that the bandits turned down all entireties to hold peace meeting with them.
The bandits had accused the state government of betrayal by not fulfilling its promise to grant them amnesty.
Speaking on the issue, Alia insisted that his administration had extended the olive branch to the bandits, but they rejected it.
“During my campaign, I told every faceless group in all the zones who are creating instability in the state to shield their sword that a new government is coming to liberate them and get them out of the bush, as such, they should stop killing their own siblings and that is what I have been trying to do.
“I offered to them for those who wish to go to school that the state is going to sponsor them to recreate their lives and for those of them who are trade incline , I offered them skill that will help them live a proper and decent life style that we can fund and also establish in their vocation after acquiring the skills.
“All these are to enable them to come out of the bushes and to stop destabilising the LG and killing their people.”
However, the governor regretted that some bandits who had accepted the offer and planned to get out of the bushes were also killed by rival groups under the guise of superiority.
“Unfortunately, those who are inclined to come out were being attacked and fighting for superiority and right there in the bushes,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, Alia has accused some politicians of sponsoring the bandits, which he said had complicated the instability in the axis.
He said, “Over the years, there have been some skirmishes and instabilities in the Ukum area and what brings most things and this instability is not from outsiders. They are homegrown bandits who are killing their people and stopping them from going to the farm.
“The so-called Abuja politicians are the ones sponsoring and supporting these guys.”
In spite of the situation, the governor assured that his administration would not relent in talking to the bandits to shield their sword and allow the peace to reign in the area.
“We can not stop talking to them. I have extended numerous olive branch to them,” the governor said.