A young man who says he is on a mission to end kidnapping in the Tiv land has ridiculed a man he calls one of the region’s kidnappers after the man failed to show up for a promised face-off. Aondongu Peter Suleagbough told the people of Ayaba in Ukum Local Government Area that his crusade carries one simple message which is, “all criminals must repent and surrender now or be killed”. The story follows our earlier report that Aondongu’s team visited Ayaba and Agu while his opponents stayed away.
At a glance
- Peace Crusader Aondongu Peter Suleagbough told residents of Ayaba, in Ukum, that armed criminals must surrender their weapons to community leaders.
- He said Matthew Zegebra, who had challenged him to a face-to-face confrontation, did not show up at Ayaba or Agu Center.
- He gave Ichen, Zegebra and a dreaded man known as Full Fire 24 hours to free all kidnap victims. Some were released on the morning of today, November 3, he said.
- The claims are those of the people involved. Daily Talk has not independently verified them, and no one named has been convicted of any crime.
What Aondongu told the people of Ayaba
Speaking to residents, Aondongu said that all criminals, bandits and kidnappers must hand over their weapons to the elders and return to peaceful, law-abiding lives before any freedom can be extended to them. He warned that those who refuse would face deadly consequences.
It appears however that Aondongu is backed by the government, but he repeatedly said no government officials are behind what he’s doing. A multitude of the people of Benue believe in his crusade and many odds seems to favour him. About a week ago, the ALGON Chairman in Benue and the Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government, Hon. Shaku gifted the crusader a new space wagon to assist him move effectively.
In Ayaba, Aondongu told the crowd that, in his view, the men he is targeting are not the warlords they claim to be. “Matthew Zegebra who challenged him did not show up in Ayaba,” he said, adding that his team had wondered whether the man disliked the venue and had then gone to Agu Center, where he also failed to appear. He urged the people of Ayaba to see the suspects as kidnappers who preyed on ordinary people.
How the face-off came about
The confrontation began with a challenge. Zegebra, who Aondongu and his supporters accuse of involvement in kidnapping, dared the crusader to meet him face to face. Aondongu said he accepted and announced that he had chosen Ayaba.
Daily Talk’s earlier coverage tracked the build-up. We reported that Ichen had fled into hiding as Aondongu planned his Ayaba visit in Ukum. We also reported that Aondongu replied to Ichen with the words “If you want freedom, you know what to do”, and that Zegebra appeared in a viral video claiming he was ready to welcome Aondongu in Ayaba.
The tone then shifted. In later reports, Zegebra was said to have withdrawn from the face-off, saying Ayaba is not a battlefield, and to have backed down with the words “I can’t fight government” as Aondongu headed to Ayaba. Aondongu and his partner Shimanor then arrived in Zaki Biam ahead of a meeting with community members.
On Monday, November 2, according to Shimanor, the team went to both Ayaba and Agu. Zegebra did not show up at either places. Aondongu used the absence to mock him before the crowd in Ayaba.
The 24-hour ultimatum
Aondongu also called on Ichen, Zegebra and Full Fire to release every kidnapped person in their custody without conditions within 24 hours, counting from yesterday November 2nd before the morning of November 3 (today). According to Aondongu, some of the victims were freed on the morning of November 3 (today).
He asked relatives of anyone still held to contact him if their loved ones are not released by the deadline. Daily Talk could not independently confirm how many people were freed, who they are, or whether anyone paid a ransom. We have not heard from Zegebra, Ichen or Full Fire in response to the ultimatum.
Families with a missing relative should also report the case to the police, because trained officers can open a formal investigation and coordinate a rescue. A report to the police does not prevent a family from also talking to community leaders.
Who is Aondongu Peter Suleagbough?
Aondongu is described by local outlets as a peace advocate and anti-crime crusader in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and the wider Sankera area. Benue Today reported that the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Benue State, Dr. Shaku Justine, donated a vehicle to him to support what the council chairman called his rescue mission, and advised him to stay away from politics.
The same outlet has also reported a community-led arrest of a suspected kidnapper in Sankera, crediting Aondongu’s group for inspiring residents. In a separate report on the arrest of a suspected bandit leader in Taraba State, Aondongu was quoted as saying that members of the same criminal network were allegedly behind the killing of his brother, a traditional ruler. Those claims have not been tried in court.
Why this matters
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the most feared crimes in parts of Benue and other states. Police recently confirmed that gunmen abducted mourners who were transporting a corpse in Otukpo Local Government Area, according to Leadership newspaper. Against that background, many residents are looking for any force that can bring relief.
There are two sides to this story, and both deserve attention. Supporters say a community-backed crusade can pressure criminals to give up, free victims and restore confidence in rural areas. Critics, and many security and legal experts, warn that when private citizens issue ultimatums or threats of violence, the risk of mistakes, revenge attacks and harm to innocent people rises.
What happens next
Several questions remain open. It is not yet clear how many victims remain in captivity, whether the police or the army will respond and act to save those held in captivity, or whether the suspects will surrender arms to the elders as Aondongu demands. It is also unclear whether the suspects will give their own account of events.
Daily Talk will continue to follow developments in Ayaba and the wider Sankera area.
Editor’s note
This report is based on statements attributed to Aondongu Peter Suleagbough and his team, on Daily Talk’s earlier coverage and on published reports linked in the text. Daily Talk has not independently verified the claims about kidnapping, the number of victims released or the roles of the people named. Anyone named is presumed innocent unless a court finds otherwise. Readers with information, and anyone named who wishes to respond, can reach the newsroom through the Contact Us page.
