Tobias Sylvester
The Nigeria Army has confirmed the killing of Mr Terwase Akwaza, alias “Gana”, the ‘most wanted criminal’ in Benue state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Benue State government had in 2015 granted amnesty to over 500 persons including Gana, who were terrorising parts of Benue and Taraba states, but most of them relapsed into criminality.
Gana had been on the wanted list of security operatives after he was fingered in various criminal acts including the murder of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Special Security, Denen Igbana.
A bounty of N5 million was initially promised anyone who could give a useful information that would lead to Gana’s arrest in 2018. The ransom was later jacked up to N10 million and then N50 million.
The militia kingpin who had enjoyed amnesty under Governor Ortom’s government had resurfaced after being in hiding for four years to surrender to government for a second amnesty following appeals by elders of the Sankera intermediate area.
KanyiDaily had gathered that Gana willingly surrendered himself along with over 100 members of his group to the prominent sons of the Sankera Area including traditional rulers and clergymen and politicians.
The prominent Benue leaders had gone to Katsina-Ala Local Government to receive the repentant militias including Gana and were on their way to present them to the state government when they were allegedly rounded up by the military at Yandev.
It was learnt that the military searched the long convoy coming from Katsina-Ala and took away Gana while the other repentant militia were allowed to proceed to Makurdi.
However, the Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa state, Major General Moundhey Gadzama Ali, told newsmen on Tuesday that Gana was killed along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road following an exchange of gunfire.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday night in Doma LGA, where the lifeless body of Gana was paraded, the Commandant, Maj.-Gen. Ali said: “I invited you this evening to witness another breakthrough by troops on operation AYEM APKATUMA III
“At about 1200hrs today, we received strategic information on the movement of the dreaded bandit named Terwase Akwaza Agbadu AKA Gana along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road
“Troops on operation AYEM APKATUMA III moved swiftly and mounted snap road blocks along routs at 1300hrs, there was a meeting engagement with the convoy of the dreaded bandit AKA Gana. A shot out ensured and he was killed.
“During search, the following were recovered, Qty 5 AK 47,Qty 1 FN rifle, Qty 2 Beretta pistol, Qty3 pump action guns, Qty 1 locally fabricated sub machine, Qty 10 Dane gun, Qty 19 browsing pistols, Qty 35 fabricated revolver pistols and Qty 2 fabricated mortars.”
Other ammunition recovered, according to him, include Qty 766 rounds of 7.62mm special, Qty 27.9mm rounds, Qty 26.pump action cartridge
He said Qty1. Machine ,Qty2 waist charms,Qty2.finger ring charms and Qty2 fabricated improvised explosives were also recovered.
Maj.-Gen. further explained 40 of his men have been captured in the operation and under custody to be handed over to the civil authorities for prosecution.
KanyiDaily has reported how Gana escaped the the Nigerian Army with gunshot wounds four months ago, during a raid operation in his Benue hideout.
