Shortly after Terwase Agwaza popularly known as Gana, a wanted Benue criminal gang leader surrendered in Katsina LGA, the military has reportedly killed the repented militia warlord yesterday evening in Nasarawa and forty of his men were said to have been captured in Benue State.
WITHIN NIGERIA had reported that the gang leader surrendered for the amnesty programme in Katsina Ala township stadium in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue north senatorial zone on Tuesday.
Many prominent sons of the Sankera Area including traditional rulers and clergymen and politicians 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 at Yandev.
67 criminals from Logo, 25 from Ukum and over 80 from Katsina-Ala repented in the Sankera area and had surrendered their arms, only 42 of this number reportedly made it to Makurdi after the military interception.
Governor Ortom confirmed that the convoy conveying the repented criminals to Makurdi around Maseje village close to Yandev roundabouts was intercepted by the military.
Confirming the killing of Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana to Channels Television via telephone, the Commander of the Four Special Forces Command, Doma Local Government Area, Brigadier General Maude Ali Gadzama said “the warlord was killed on Tuesday evening in a firefight with military personnel”.
Image of the deceased warlord is graphic, viewer’s discretion is advised, SEE PHOTO HERE.
Brigadier General Maude Ali Gadzama, while giving account of how Gana was killed at a roadblock mounted by the Army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road following exchange of gunfire, said “at about 12:00 hours today (Tuesday), we received strategic information on the movement of the dreaded bandit Terwase Akwaza Agbadu AKA Gana along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road.
“Troops of Operation ‘Ayem Akpatuma III’ moved swiftly and mounted snap roadblocks along the routes.
“At about 13:00 hours, there was a meeting engagement with the convoy of Gana, a shoot out ensued and the bandit was killed.”
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 useful information that would lead to Gana’s arrest in 2018. The ransom was later jacked up to N10 million and then N50 million.
However, 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.