Zaki Biam invasion: Victims yet to be paid 15 years after court ordered FG to pay compensation

…Survivors lament delay, ask FG to comply
A trip to Zaki Biam, sometimes referred to as the “yam headquarters” or the “food basket of Benue State,” was very enlightening.
The remnants of the military invasion in 2001, which left many people dead and entire communities in ruins, are still visible in this bustling area.

Zaki Biam, which is in the Sankera axis of Benue State, as well as a number of other communities along that route, including Gbeji, Vaase, Iorja, Tse Adoor, Kyado, Anyiin, and Ugba, were invaded by troops and reduced to ruins as a result of reports that no less than 19 soldiers who had been sent to keep the peace during a protracted crisis involving communities there had been killed.

According to reports, the military assault caused significant loss of life and property, which ultimately compelled the victims to seek restitution through legal action led by the late Dr. Alexander Gaadi, the leader of the Benue Development Movement, who dragged the Federal Government to court and demanded N200 billion for the victims.

A sigh of relief for the victims came six years later, specifically in 2007, when Justice Lewis Alagoa of the Federal High Court in Enugu rendered a judgment against the Federal Government that was finally reduced to N8 billion as part of a compromise.

Unfortunately, they have yet to benefit from the renowned decision of the court, which was rendered 15 years after the court’s judgment was made in the victims’ favor and 21 years after the slaughter.

Many of the invasion survivors are dead, but many more are eagerly awaiting the day they will receive their government checks. The government doesn’t seem to care about their condition and doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it.

When Arewa Voice visited Zaki Biam, some massacre survivors bemoaned their predicament and stated it was incredible that, for nearly 20 years after a valid and continuing court judgment, they still hadn’t received compensation.

They questioned why, in an effort to thwart efforts to carry out the judgement and worsen their situation, the Federal Government had resorted to dithering over the issue and buying time in court through arbitrary legal processes.

The Orya (Village Head) of Tse-Amachigh, Ugbaam Council Ward in Sankera, Elder John Tsafa, bemoaned the fact that his people are still experiencing the effects of the invasion and have been traumatized by the Federal Government’s failure to pay them the agreed compensation.

Tsafa said: “The money has not been given to us and my subjects are suffering as a result. Our condition is very critical now. Although many people have rebuilt their houses, some have not been able to settle down since that time because their livelihoods were completely destroyed.

“If that compensation is given to us, it will do us a great deal of good. We will be able to pick up our lives again and live normal lives because the truth is that the invasion adversely affected even the survivors, many of who have died untimely deaths because of the pains and trauma they had to live with.”

The second Orya of Tse-Amachigh, Dooga Nyiashima, whose home and possessions were also destroyed, revealed that 21 years later, he had still not been able to recover from the trauma and find his feet. “I have been doing my best but I lost much during the invasion and I have no hope again unless I get compensated to add speed to my life again,” he said.

Ugodo Ukpelakpela of Tse-hiive described his hardship, saying that his two brothers, whose homes were destroyed during the invasion, were unable to repair them until they passed away and were never given compensation.

“It is heartbreaking and we appeal to the Federal Government to pay the compensation so that the victims who are still alive can get the support they need to pick up their lives again while those who died in the course of waiting for the payment can rest peacefully,” he said.

Another resident and survivor, Torhee Taawen who looked dejected and helpless, said: “We have not been compensated and we are suffering but there’s nothing we can do about it. My father’s house was destroyed by the Army in 2001. He could not rebuild it until he died and we built his tomb in the ruins of a wing of the house because it was a big house that accommodated our large family.”

In response, Dr. Richard Gbande, the representative for the Logo/Ukum/Katsina-Ala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, requested the Federal Government to follow the rules of the court and give compensation to the invaders’ victims.

“The Zaki Biam invasion was a sad one and we all expect that government will immediately comply with the court ruling by paying the compensation to alleviate the suffering of the survivors/victims who are my constituents so that they can pick themselves up and push the incident behind them. The time to act is now; it is long overdue and long awaited,” Dr. Gbande said.

Speaking on the subject, Mr. Ocha Ulegede, the attorney who was the driving force behind the lawsuit to obtain compensation for the victims/survivors, described the intrigues that accompanied the victims’ quest for justice, who brought the matter to court, and expressed hope that the populace would soon find comfort.

According to Mr. Ulegede, he obtained a judgment for N41.8 billion at the Federal High Court in Enugu on July 5, 2007, and on October 22, 2007, he garnished the Federal Government’s account in response to that judgment.

GOGAN Media.