Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene
Fear grips Benue community over bandits N20m tax demand
Residents of Torough community in Ukum Local Government Area are grappling with fear and desperation as bandits have threatened an attack unless a tax of N20 million is paid within days.
The audacious demand has forced locals to sell their farm produce and livestock, with each household tasked with raising N500,000 to meet the bandits’ ultimatum.
Sources within the community, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, revealed that the levy has been distributed among households, with the smallest amount being N50,000. “Some have started disposing of their farm produce and livestock to raise the levy, while others have contacted their relatives outside to avert the attack,” one source disclosed to Punch.
The gravity of the situation is such that even the village head is reluctant to report the threat to security forces, fearing further provocation of the local militias.
Victor Iorzaa, chairman of Ukum Local Government, confirmed the threat and identified the notorious militia leader known as Full Fire as the mastermind behind it. “He has been terrorizing the area for the past five years, working with Fulani herdsmen to attack our people,” Iorzaa said. He recounted a recent military assault on Full Fire’s house, illustrating the ongoing efforts to curb his influence.
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Iorzaa reported the extortion attempt to both the police and the state security council, highlighting the pervasive fear that grips the community. “The people of the area are living in fear; it’s the most troubled place in the local government,” he noted.
State Police Public Relations Officer SP Catherine Anene mentioned that such an incident had not been officially reported to the command. Meanwhile, Joseph Har, the Security Adviser to the Governor, dismissed the likelihood of bandits successfully collecting the tax, stating, “The criminals have been having a very tough time recently and can’t have the balls to wait and collect any tax.”
Har acknowledged the global trend of bandits imposing illegal levies but assured that the state government and security operatives are actively working to dismantle these criminal activities. “The criminals have been feeling the heat and most have fled their camps. We intend to sustain the momentum until we run them down or they surrender,” Har asserted, noting a recent reduction in bandit impunity.
Despite the government’s efforts, the threat remains imminent for the people of Torough, who continue to raise the demanded funds in a bid to avoid the feared attack.
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