[UPDATE]How Terwase Agwaza (alias Gana) was killed – Military, Benue govt

By JACOB KUBEKA –

The Nigeria military confirmed Tuesday night the killing of Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana, described as the most wanted criminal gang leader in Benue State.

Commander of the Four Special Forces command, Doma local government area, Brigadier General Maude Ali Gadzama told Channels Television via telephone that Gana was killed Tuesday  evening in a firefight with military personnel.

Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, however said soldiers snatched Gana from a government convoy of repentant militants in Gboko.

NATIONAL ACCORD had earlier reported that the killing came hours after ‘Gana’ reportedly surrendered at the Katsina – Ala Township Stadium in response to the latest amnesty programme announced by the state government.

 

A reward of N10 million had been announced by the government in 2017 for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of ‘Gana’ who was first granted amnesty by the Ortom Administration a few years back.

Information about how and who finally killed him were initially sketchy at the time of our  report, but a source within the state had suggested that this may have happened after ‘Gana’ turned himself in with a catche of arms in Katsina-Ala and was on his way to Makurdi where governor Samuel Ortom was said to be waiting to receive him at the Government House.

Gana, along with 172 militia boys, had reportedly surrendered amid traditional rulers, priests, and local government officials in Katsina-Ala local government in Benue.

According to Governor Ortom, they were on their way to Makurdi when they were intercepted by military officials.

In 2015, Gana was offered an amnesty but returned to his alleged criminal activities.

In 2017, the Nigerian police declared Gana wanted after he was alleged to have killed “several innocent persons”.

The Benue State Government, at the time, placed a N10 million naira bounty on him.

In an exclusive interview with Channels Television in 2016, Gana had denied any involvement in the killing of Mr. Denen Igbana, a security aide to Governor Samuel Ortom.

It was also  not immediately clear at what point he was gunned down and in what circumstances, but Ortom told Channels TV Gana was snatched away in Gboko, about 85 kilometeres from the state capital, Makurdi.

The pictures of the bloodied body of Terwase Agwaza, dumped on the floor of a military truck have since gone viral.

(With additional report by Channels TV)

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The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.

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