A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi has ordered the remand of 11 herders at the Makurdi Correctional Centre for allegedly terrorising communities in 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, were arraigned for multiple offences including criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, terrorism, open grazing, and possession of suspected stolen cattle.

All suspects are residents of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongun declined to take their pleas, citing lack of jurisdiction, and adjourned the case to July 7, 2025, for further mention.

Prosecuting Inspector Godwin Ato told the court that on June 1, a combined team of Operation Zenda and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, led by Insp. Donald Ahulu, raided a hideout in Nugu Village after credible intelligence linked the group to Amakaa Akwaza, a notorious bandit leader.

During the operation, a fierce gun battle ensued. The security team overpowered the suspects, recovering an AK-47 rifle (serial number 6189) and 16 rounds of live ammunition. Ten suspects were caught in the act, allegedly loading stolen cattle into a Mercedes Benz truck (Reg. No. TTM 405 XA, Taraba State) while others were openly grazing cows on a nearby farm.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Wakili, described as the Fulani community leader in Katsina-Ala and an alleged arms supplier for the syndicate.

The offences contravene sections 6(b) and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act (2004), Section 19 of the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017), and Section 321 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue State (2004).