N20m: Militiamen take over over Benue community, as each Household levied to 50k

By:Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

People suspected to be militiamen at Tourough in Ukum LGA of Benue state are having sleepless nights as they were asked the inhabitants to levy 20m as dues to them.

TGNews Checks who unveiled the reports on Tuesday learned community is making frantic efforts to ensure the said amount is divided amongst with immediate effect for peace to reign

It was further discovered that some members have their livestock sized due to their inability to commence action when the information was passed by their contact man in the community

An eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday at the affected community in Tourough disclosed that the fear for his life and the entire family had to comply

According to him some of them have to contact their relatives in the cities discreetly to receive the money and pay on time.

He said nobody in the village if dare report the matter you would have yourself to blame even law enforcement agents are allegedly afraid of them.

“We are more or less in bondage here. There is no complete freedom of movement, association, or expression. These militia boys are very deadly and powerful here in our Sankera axis.

“The whole of three local governments in Sankera are affected by this madness. These boys have a very strong communication network for their business. They monitor everything.

“So when the news about the N20m came to us nobody dardaredport it to security agencies. You and your family will be eliminated on the surface of the earth in broad daylight. We are in bondage. The security oppressives too are helpless.

“We are paying the N50,000 levied on each household. Some traditional compounds that have many households are levied N1m,” he said

The source regretted that even when they sold their farm produce the militias collected the proceeds.

He said most times after they kill your loved one, they will still tax the family of the deceased to pay for their bullets and pay for burial permission fee before burial.

However, the Benue Police Command denied knowledge of the entire development.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Sewuese Anene said if such happened, it was not reported to the command.

In his reaction, Chief Joseph Har, Special Adviser to the governor on Internal Security said bandits were on the run in the State and could not have the luxury of collecting tax from the villagers.

Chief Har said Gov Hyacient Alia’s administration was doing everything possible to mitigate activities of bandits, kidnappers, and militias amongst others in the State.

“The issue of these illegal levies has become a common practice with bandits everywhere worldwide cos they use it to survive. However, only an irresponsible government will fold its hands to allow that callous thing to happen.

“Frankly in recent times, criminals are giving us sleepless nights as were been told to pay unwarranted levies against our conscience noting there is nothing we can do than to be obliged. ;

“Just imagine many residents have fled their places of abode for the fear of the unknown and were working assiduously to ensure crime waves were reduced to the barest Minimal pointing out the impunity of bandits in the affected communities would soon be a thing of the past. “