BENUE GOVT BREAKS SILENCE ON 'BANDITS' REHAB CENTRE, SAYS FACILITY TARGETS VICTIMS, NOT TERRORISTS. (PHOTO).

 BENUE GOVT BREAKS SILENCE ON 'BANDITS' REHAB CENTRE, SAYS FACILITY TARGETS VICTIMS, NOT TERRORISTS 

The Benue State Government on Monday dismissed claims that it plans to establish a rehabilitation centre for hardened bandits, describing the reports as misleading and politically coloured.

Rather, the government clarified that the proposed Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Centre is aimed at rehabilitating youths allegedly coerced into criminal gangs, particularly in the troubled Sankera axis.

Director-General of the Benue State Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Josephine Habba, who addressed journalists amid rising public concern, said the initiative must be understood within the broader context of the state’s prolonged security crisis.

According to her, insecurity in Benue has often been narrowly framed as herders-farmers clashes, whereas deeper issues including forced recruitment of youths into banditry remain largely overlooked.

“There is confusion around conflict in Benue State. When people hear conflict, they think only of herders and farmers. That does not address the root causes of insecurity,” she said.

Habba drew attention to Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, collectively known as the Sankera axis, which have experienced persistent banditry over the years.

She recalled that in early 2024, Governor Hyacinth Alia visited Katsina-Ala following disclosures during a meeting with the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala that several youths had been abducted from markets, homes and even while riding motorcycles.

The abducted youths, she said, were taken into forest enclaves and forced to work as foot soldiers for criminal gangs.

“They were used to carry out dangerous errands. Some women, including pregnant women, were also taken to serve as cooks and errand runners,” she added.

Habba disclosed that after a detailed profiling exercise conducted in collaboration with stakeholders, more than 1,800 individuals were identified as persons affected by forced involvement in banditry.

She, however, clarified that they do not represent all criminals in the state, but individuals whose cases required evaluation.

Governor Alia, she said, adopted what she described as a “carrot approach,” offering amnesty to those who were genuinely repentant and had no prior criminal records.

A special committee was thereafter constituted to conduct discreet background and shadow checks.

From the exercise, over 1,170 persons were reportedly confirmed to have had no previous criminal history before being recruited.

“Our goal is to break the chain of recruitment. If those hiding in the bush have no foot soldiers, their operations will collapse,” Habba stated.

She further revealed that over 400 individuals have signified willingness to renounce criminality and return to farming.

However, she stressed that they would not be allowed to simply return to their communities without structured rehabilitation, noting that psychosocial reorientation is crucial to prevent stigma and relapse.

Habba emphasised that DDR is an internationally recognised framework implemented in conflict-affected regions and supported by the United Nations.

She disclosed that the centre would be sited in Anyiin, Logo LGA, insisting that it is not meant for Boko Haram insurgents or foreign militants.

According to her, activation of the facility is expected to strengthen international partnerships, enhance security presence and equip beneficiaries with start-up kits upon successful completion of the programme.

The rehabilitation process, she said, would last between six months and one year, with participants receiving certificates upon graduation.

Habba also announced that a comprehensive peace framework would be unveiled at a peace summit scheduled for February 25, 2026.

She explained that the framework integrates rehabilitation with community resilience initiatives, restoration of livelihoods and rebuilding of schools and hospitals destroyed by violence.

“We want seamless reintegration not only for those leaving the bush, but for communities that have suffered trauma and destruction,” she said.