THE BAD ACTORS
The Purveyors of Death and Destruction
The violence in Sankera is largely driven by well-structured criminal gangs, each with its own leadership, territory, and methods of operation. Below is a brief summary of the most notorious elements operating in the region.
The Chain Gang
Formed in the early 2010s as a cult group in Ukum LGA, it evolved into a militia under the leadership of Terwase Akwaza (Also known as Gana) before his death in 2020. It is now led “Full Fire”, a ruthless bandit and Warlord whose real name is unknown. They are equipped with AK-47s, RPGs and locally made explosives. Their strongholds are reportedly in Gbajir, Ayati, Zaki-Biam, all of Ukum local government area of Benue state.
The key activities of the group include;
Kidnapping for Ransom, usually targeting Politicians, businessmen, expatriates.
Armed Robbery targeting the motor highways, local markets and even Banks.
Political Thuggery, being hired by politicians to intimidate opponents and disrupt/rig elections.
Drug Trafficking, the selling of Methamphetamine and cannabis.
Apart from the intimidation of helpless farmers, stealing of harvests, rape and murder of young ladies, their most notorious crimes are the 2023 Gbajir Massacre where over 30 people were killed. They also took part in the 2024 Ukum Bank Robbery where over ₦150M (~$100,000) was carted away and 7 police officers were killed.
The Full Fire Gang
This is a rival faction, which broke away from the Chain Gang in 2022, after a leadership dispute. It is led “Ombatse”. A former cultist turned local bandit and warlord. They are equipped with AK-47s, machetes and swords. They are known to use drones for surveillance and have a sophisticated network of informers. They dominate Tor Donga, Abaji, parts of Katsina-Ala town.
The key activities of the group include;
Kidnapping for Ransom, usually targeting Politicians, businessmen, expatriates.
Carrying Out Beheadings & Terror tactics to intimidate.
Engage in Cybercrime to Fund weapon purchases.
Are known to collaborate with Fulani Militias to attack villages.
Their most notorious crimes are the 2023 Tor Donga Massacre where 15 villagers beheaded and the 2024 Katsina-Ala Market Attack where 5 people were killed and the market burned.
The “Black Axe” Cult (a Hybrid Crime Syndicate)
It started as a university campus fraternity (Benue State University, Federal University Technology Owerri) and later expanded into rural Sankera for recruitment. They are usually equipped with pistols and small handheld weapons. Are also known to use poisons and charms. They usually operate in Anyiin, Ugba and parts of Makurdi town (Benue State capital)
They engage in Ritual Killings (For organ harvesting and money rituals), Human Trafficking i.e. kidnapping young girls and selling them to brothels and Political Assassinations (Hired killings).
Their most notable activities are the 2023 Logo Ritual Killing where 7 bodies were found with organs harvested and 2024 Ugbema Abductions where 12 girls were kidnapped. 4 of those girls are still missing.
Sankera’s gangs will keep thriving unless these root issues are addressed.
The Fulani Militia in Sankera
The Fulani militia (often referred to as armed herders or bandits) are one of the deadliest actors in Sankera’s violence. While not all Fulani are violent, a well-armed, militant faction has terrorized Benue’s farming communities for years.
They are largely composed a mix of local Fulani herdsmen, foreign mercenaries (from Niger, Chad, Mali), and criminal bandits. Their motivations are largely Land grabbing (to expand grazing routes) , carrying out Revenge killings (for cattle rustling or past attacks) and pure banditry (kidnapping for ransom, theft).
They have no single leader, but warlords like “Dogo Nahali” (operating in neighbouring states) have influence.
They are equipped with a sophisticated arsenals of weapons (AK47s, RPGs, drones for surveillance) as they are known to engage in the Illicit Arms Trade. They also benefit from guns smuggled from Libya, Niger, and Cameroon and are recipients of weapons stolen from the Nigerian Military and Police.
They specialise in Night raids where they attack villages between the hours 1 am – 4am when the people are asleep. They burn houses, shoot and kill fleeing villagers, and abduct women/children. They are also ambush farmers working on farms, killing them to force displacement. Kidnapping for ransom is also one of their activities and are known to focus on pastors, teachers, and wealthy locals (demanding ₦5M – ₦50M ($ 3K – $30K) per victim)
They usually buy protection from corrupt security agents and are known to collaborate with other local bandits. Up to 4000 of the Fulani militias showed up in Ukum, a few days before the good Friday massacre in gbagir.
Recent notable activities are;
The Tse-Adoor massacre (Logo LGA, 2024) where 17 people were killed,
The Gbajir Attack (Ukum, 2023) where 12 farmers beheaded.
The Tor Donga Abductions (Katsina Ala, March 2024) where 15 people abducted.
The Ayati Attack (Ukum, 2024) where 8 people were killed and several injured.
The Gbajir Good Friday Massacre (Ukum, 2025) where 80 people were murdered.
The question always asked is why they have not been stopped despite this going on for several years (more than 10 years). The response from the security forces is usually weak and haphazard with the Police and army being understaffed and outgunned. – Operation Whirl Stroke which was enacted to quell the situation lacked enough troops to cover all villages being attacked.
It is also a well known fact that these herdsmen are protected by several powerful northern elites who allegedly shield them from prosecution when they are arrested by the security forces thus there is no serious prosecution of arrested attackers.
These killings are often framed along ethnic and religious lines by the media, thus the label of “Fulani vs. Tiv” conflict or “farmer and herdsmen” disagreements making it harder to resolve.
The Humanitarian Impact of these killings by the various actors is Mass Displacement of over 100,000 Tiv farmers and their families to IDP camps, where they have run for their lives. Those that survived the killings have to deal with the trauma and fear, children growing up as orphans.
Another major impact on these communities, state and nation is the abandoned farmlands. A major impact on food security in the region and nation, considering that Benue State produces 30% of Nigeria’s staple foods.
The Fulani militia will keep attacking until the Security forces get stronger i.e. deploy more troops and are equipped with better weapons, Government addresses land disputes honestly and the Politicians stop using the crisis for ethnic propaganda. The people of Sankera are tired. Will help ever come? Sankera’s gangs will keep thriving unless these root issues are addressed.
