Benue Activist Seeks Independent Access to Operation Zenda Facility Over Detention Concerns

Human rights activist Ukan Kurugh has formally submitted a request to the Benue State Police Command in Makurdi seeking independent civil society access to the Operation Zenda facility located at Kusaki in Yandev, Gboko Local Government Area. In a statement shared on social media on May 5, 2026, Kurugh, who identifies as a human and gender rights activist and “voice of the voiceless,” described the move as necessary for the verification of serious allegations regarding detention practices at the facility.

The activist emphasized that transparency in security operations is a fundamental duty rather than a privilege, adding that authorities with nothing to hide should have no reason to fear scrutiny. The formal letter, dated May 5, 2026, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, was received and stamped by the command’s office.

This latest action follows closely on the heels of another petition served by Kurugh on the same day to the offices of the Attorney General of Benue State, the Benue State Police Command, and Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia. That petition demands the urgent implementation of the Benue State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019 and full accountability in the case of Terkura Msonga, a young man who reportedly entered police custody over two years ago and has not been seen since. According to accounts circulating alongside the petitions, Msonga was arrested, transferred to the Operation Zenda facility at Kusaki, and subsequently vanished from contact with his family.

Operation Zenda, a joint task force involving police and other security agencies, was established to combat banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery in Benue State and has previously recorded operational successes, including arrests and neutralization of suspects. However, the unit has faced repeated public accusations from residents and activists of extortion, arbitrary arrests, extra-judicial actions, and opaque detention practices, particularly at its outpost in Kusaki, Yandev. Local testimonies shared on social media have described the facility as highly restricted, with limited external access and reports of individuals entering custody without clear documentation or follow-up.

Kurugh, known for his consistent advocacy on human rights issues in Benue State, stated that his interventions go beyond social media commentary into concrete action, including printing and physically serving the petitions. He urged widespread sharing of the information and vowed continued pressure until accountability is achieved, declaring, “We do not just talk on social media, we act. We will not be silent. We will not be tired.”

As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Benue State Police Command or the state government regarding the access request or the specific demands for information on Terkura Msonga’s whereabouts and the broader operations at the Kusaki facility. The developments have sparked renewed calls from civil society for oversight of security operations to balance effective crime-fighting with respect for human rights and due process under the law.