The Benue State Government has revealed that some pregnant women who were allegedly kidnapped and forced to work as cooks for criminal gangs are among 400 local bandits who have indicated readiness to surrender and undergo rehabilitation before reintegration into society.
The disclosure comes amid controversy surrounding the state’s plan to establish a rehabilitation centre for repentant bandits—a proposal that has drawn criticism from residents questioning the government’s approach to tackling insecurity.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, the Director-General of the Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, Josephine Habba, explained that the state is seeking federal approval to establish a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Centre aimed at rehabilitating affected individuals, particularly those allegedly coerced into criminal activities.
Habba lamented the persistent insecurity in Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas, stressing that decisive intervention is required to restore peace in the troubled Sankera axis.
According to her, the proposed DDR facility, once approved by the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, will be located in Logo Local Government Area and funded by the United Nations.
“We all know the story of Sankera. Those abducted victims were often used as foot soldiers or compelled to carry out dangerous errands for those hiding deep within the forest. Even pregnant women were abducted and turned over as cooks. From the biometrics we have conducted, over 1,800 persons have been captured, but 400 are willing to be rehabilitated,” Habba said.
She clarified that the individuals are not necessarily hardened criminals but were allegedly forced to carry out tasks for armed groups operating in forest enclaves.
“They needed foot soldiers because if they (local bandits) came out, they would be recognised. So they conscripted others to do the dirty jobs,” she added.
Habba disclosed that the Commission has developed a comprehensive plan to address the situation, which will be unveiled at a peace summit scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The plan, she noted, includes structured rehabilitation programmes after which participants will “graduate” and receive certificates as part of efforts to reintegrate them into society.
