Benue’s Mbatan Community: Child Night Crawlers Get Cane Strokes; Hemp Dealers Fined N50k, N200k, Face Banishment

By Felix Umande

The Mbatan Traditional Council in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State has banned children below 16 years from attending wake-keeps and night gatherings and from loitering around kiosks selling sachet drinks. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The council also banned cultivation, sale and smoking of Indian hemp and drug abuse in the community.

The resolutions were reached at an expanded council meeting held on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to a statement issued by the District Secretary, Iortyom Ezekiel. The laws will take effect from October 13, 2026.

The council ruled that any underage child caught violating the curfew will receive 12 strokes of the cane. It directed men of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, youth organisations and hunters to enforce compliance.

On Indian hemp, the council warned that anyone caught cultivating Cannabis Sativa will be banished to his maternal home, locally known as “Igba.” Sellers in small quantities will pay N50,000 fine, while operators of bunks will pay N200,000 and one big goat.

Smokers and drug abusers, when caught, will pay N50,000 with 12 strokes of the cane.

The council advised youths to venture into rice and soybean farming instead of Indian hemp.

In his remarks, Tyoor Mbatan, Chief Orpin Jinge, called on the Tanaka Development Association, kindred heads and community leaders to intensify awareness on the new laws.

Mbatan is a council ward within Mbayion, Gboko LGA.