Gana Was Seized By The Army On His Way To Be Granted Amnesty – Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says information available to him indicates that Terwase Akwaza also known as Gana, was today forcefully taken away by a team of military men while he and other repentant youths were on their way to Makurdi where they were to be given amnesty by the State Security Council.

Governor Ortom who stated this while addressing journalists on the incident said he had spoken with the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj-Gen Yekini who promised to get back to him on the matter.

He said an interception at Maseje in Gboko local government area by soldiers confirmed to be men of Operation Whirl Stroke led to the apprehension of Gana while some of the other repentant persons retreated as a result of the confusion.

The Governor stated that the recovered arms were also taken away by the soldiers who intercepted the convoy of vehicles conveying the repentant persons.

He noted that the amnesty programme followed series of requests by the traditional, political and religious leaders from the area to have armed youths terrorising Sankera to surrender illegal weapons in their possession and give peace a chance.

Governor Ortom said though over 80 repentant youths from Katsina-Ala, 67 from Logo and 25 from Ukum Local Government Areas surrendered their arms and were being conveyed to Makurdi, only 42 made it to the destination following the incident that led to the arrest of Gana.

He therefore granted amnesty to the 42 repentant youths, urging them to take the opportunity seriously and reintegrate themselves in the society to live normals lives.

Breaking: Notorious Benue Criminal Gana Surrender Self To Governor Ortom

A dreaded gang leader, Terwase Agwaza, otherwise called Gana, has surrendered himself to Governor Samuel Ortom. With a bounty of N10 million placed on him, Gana had been accused of being the killer of one of the governor’s aide, Denen Igbana.

• Benue state was one criminal less on Tuesday, September 8
• This is as a gang leader, Terwase Agwaza, also known as Gana, has submitted himself to the state government
• Gana made this welcome move at the Katsina-Ala township stadium in Benue on Tuesday

Residents of Benue will now breathe a sigh of relief and sleep with their eyes closed after a dreaded gang leader, Terwase Agwaza, otherwise called Gana, surrendered himself to the state government on Tuesday, September 8.

Gana made this decision at the Katsina-Ala township stadium in the Benue North senatorial zone during an amnesty event on Tuesday, The Nation reports.

Gana was conveyed to Government House in Makurdi where Governor Samuel Ortom is expected to receive him personally.

The criminal had earlier given himself up and submitted some arms and ammunition to Benue amnesty programme established by Governor Ortom.

With a bounty of N10 million placed on Gana, he had been accused of being behind the murder of the Ortom’s aide, Denen Igbana.

He is notorious for having terrorised the Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala local government areas of the state.

Ortom, on Friday, August 21 reiterated his earlier suggestion that Nigerians should be allowed to carry AK-47 rifles due to the security challenges faced in most parts of the country.

The governor repeated his stance while addressing journalists in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Earlier, Ortom had cried out over the rising crime rate and crisis going on in different parts of the state.

The governor who decried the situation while swearing in new council chairmen at the Government House in Makurdi on Monday, June 22, lamented that the negative developments had direct serious effects on peace without which development cannot thrive in the state.

He urged the new chairmen to work in harmony with security agencies as well as traditional rulers, community leaders and other reputable leaders in their council areas to nip any form of crisis in the bud.

He urged them to adopt the saying that prevention is better than cure in handling security matters in their different domains.

Ortom harped on service delivery by the chairmen to their people, urging them to serve faithfully, diligently and conscientiously “because there is always a day to give account of their stewardship.”

Wanted Militia Leader Gana Killed, Says Military

The Commander of the Four Special Forces command, Doma local government area, Brigadier General Maude Ali Gadzama on Tuesday confirmed to Channels Television via telephone the killing of Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana.

Gadzama revealed Gana was killed this evening in a firefight with military personnel.

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

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

They were on their way to Makurdi when they were intercepted by military officials, Ortom said.

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.