EXPOSED: Benue Herdsmen Linked To Notorious Warlord, Face Terror Charges Over Bloody AttacksA Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi has ordered the remand of 11 herdsmen in the Makurdi Correctional Centre over their alleged involvement in terrorist activities and violent attacks on communities across Benue State.
The accused—Nanzir Ishaya, Suleiman Umaru, Yakubu Mallam, Dauda Abdulkarim, Manu Buhari, Haruna Abdulkarim, Ibrahim Mallam, Yunusa Waziri, Idi Usman, Adamu Manu, and Abdullahi Wakili—face multiple charges including criminal conspiracy, terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, open grazing, and possession of suspected stolen cattle.
All suspects reside in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area and were brought before Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongun, who declined to take their pleas due to lack of jurisdiction. The case was adjourned to July 7, 2025, for further mention.
According to police prosecutor, Insp. Godwin Ato, the suspects were arrested on June 1, after Operation Zenda operatives received a tip-off about armed bandits linked to notorious criminal Amakaa Akwaza hiding in Nugu village.
A joint security team, including the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, stormed the hideout, engaging the armed suspects in a fierce gun battle. Several bandits fled, but one AK-47 rifle with 16 rounds of live ammunition was recovered.
Ten of the herders were caught in the act of loading suspected stolen cattle into a Mercedes Benz truck (Plate No. TTM 405 XA – Taraba) and grazing other cattle on nearby farmland. Investigations later led to the arrest of Wakili, the Fulani community leader in Katsina-Ala, accused of collaborating with Akwaza in supplying arms to the herdsmen.
The charges are in violation of sections of the Robbery and Firearms Act (2004), the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017), and the Penal Code of Benue State (2004).
