Fear Spreads in Zaki Biam as Criminal Gangs Enforce Protection Levies

Residents of Zaki Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State are increasingly alarmed by a wave of criminal activity marked by kidnapping threats, motorcycle theft, and suspected cult operations. Community members say the situation has created a climate of fear, with many now paying money to avoid being targeted.

A resident told our correspondent that people have been receiving anonymous calls demanding payment under threats of abduction. He said the callers appear organized and convincing, prompting widespread anxiety in the town. The tension, he added, has been worsened by the activities of a suspected cult group believed to be holding frequent meetings at a shop near the former SSS office along the Yam Market bypass.

According to the resident, the group gathers both during the day and late at night, leaving those in the vicinity uneasy. Motorcycle theft has also become rampant, with riders targeted after dark. Many community members, who rely on motorcycles for their daily livelihood, now avoid moving around at night.

One of the more troubling incidents involved a POS operator who reportedly transferred ₦100,000 to criminals after they threatened to abduct him if he refused to pay.

Residents say the mounting threats and incidents have left them desperate for security intervention. They warned that unless urgent action is taken, the situation could escalate beyond control.

Repeated efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.