Benue State Peace Breakthrough: 400 Bandits, Including Pregnant Women, Surrender Weapons

 

​In a landmark development for the security landscape of North-Central Nigeria, the Benue State Government has announced the successful surrender of over 400 bandits who have chosen to lay down their arms and embrace peace. In a move that has captured national attention, the group of repentant individuals notably includes pregnant women and young mothers, highlighting the complex humanitarian layer of the insurgency that has plagued the state’s "Food Basket" for years. This mass surrender, facilitated under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, marks a significant turning point in the state’s strategy to transition from purely kinetic military operations to a more holistic, non-kinetic approach to conflict resolution.

​The Surrender: A Rare Glimpse into the Insurgency

​The surrender took place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations and intelligence-led persuasion by the state’s security apparatus. The repentant bandits, who formerly operated across the volatile borders of Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas (the infamous "Sankera Axis"), emerged from their forest hideouts to surrender a diverse cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, locally made explosives, and ammunition.

​What struck observers most was the demographic of the group. While the core of the surrendering force consisted of young men, the presence of pregnant women underscored the desperate conditions within the bandit camps. Security experts suggest that the inclusion of women and children in the surrender indicates that the intense pressure from the military’s Operation Zenda and the State’s security volunteers has finally made life in the trenches unsustainable.

​Governor Alia’s Amnesty and the "Renewed Hope" for Peace

​Addressing the repentant group in Makurdi, representatives of the Benue State Government reiterated Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commitment to a peaceful and prosperous state. The Governor had previously signaled a "carrot and stick" approach—offering a window for amnesty and reintegration for those willing to renounce crime, while vowing to crush those who continue to terrorize innocent farmers.

​The administration has promised that the 400 individuals will undergo a rigorous De-radicalization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) program. This program is designed to provide:

1. ​Psychological Counseling: To address the trauma and indoctrination associated with banditry.
2. ​Vocational Training: Equipping the men with skills in agriculture, carpentry, and tailoring to ensure they have sustainable livelihoods.
3. ​Maternal Care: Specifically for the pregnant women and nursing mothers, ensuring they receive immediate medical attention and nutritional support.

​A Humanitarian Crisis in the Forest

​The presence of pregnant women among the bandits has sparked a wider conversation about the socio-economic drivers of crime in Benue. For many of these women, life in the forest was likely a result of abduction or being forced into "marriages" with gang leaders. Their surrender offers a rare opportunity for the government to gather intelligence on the living conditions and organizational structures of the remaining active cells in the state.

​By prioritizing the health of these women, the state government is sending a message of "radical empathy," hoping to encourage other women still trapped in the forests to escape and seek government protection. The State Ministry of Health and Human Services has reportedly been put on high alert to provide specialized care for the expectant mothers within the group.

​Security Gains and the Road Ahead

​While the surrender of 400 individuals is a massive win, security analysts warn that the road to total peace in Benue is still long. The state remains a flashpoint for farmer-herder tensions and communal land disputes. However, removing 400 active participants from the cycle of violence significantly reduces the operational capacity of the gangs that have disrupted farming activities and caused a spike in the cost of food nationwide.

​The Benue State Police Command and the Nigerian Army have assured the public that the profiling of the repentant bandits will be thorough. This is to ensure that those who have committed heinous crimes against humanity are properly identified, even as the state moves toward a reconciliation model.

​Public Reaction and Community Acceptance

​The success of this amnesty program largely depends on the willingness of the local communities to accept the repentant individuals back into society. Governor Alia has called on traditional rulers and community leaders in the Sankera axis to foster a spirit of forgiveness, while also ensuring that the returnees are closely monitored to prevent any recidivism.

​"We cannot win this war by bullets alone," a government spokesperson noted. "We must also win the hearts and minds of those who were led astray. Today, 400 souls have chosen life over death, and Benue is safer for it."

​Conclusion: A Template for the North-Central Region

​The surrender of 400 bandits, including vulnerable women, is a testament to the effectiveness of combining military strength with a compassionate exit strategy. If the reintegration process is handled with transparency and efficiency, Benue State could provide a successful template for neighboring states like Nasarawa and Taraba to follow in ending the scourge of banditry.