Richard Ginika Izuora
Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as ‘Ganan, and considered a very dangerous criminal has been killed by soldiers in Benue.
The Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa state, Maj. -Gen. Moundhey Ali on Tuesday, confirmed the development.
Gana was killed at a roadblock mounted by the Army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road following exchange of gunfire.
Ali revealed that the army had recorded another breakthrough in their efforts to rid the country of the activities of bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements.
He 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.”
Also, the Army Commander revealed that 40 armed members of Gana’s gang were captured during the operation.
He said the captured gang members were in Army custody; adding that they would be handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution.
Ali disclosed that several rifles, pump action guns, ammunition, charms; as well as explosives, among other items were recovered from the gang. He said Gana’s corpse had been deposited in an undisclosed hospital mortuary.
In 2015, the Benue state government had granted amnesty to over 500 persons who were terrorising parts of Benue; as well as Taraba states.
However, most of them relapsed into criminality and Gana was one of the 500 persons granted amnesty by the Benue State government.
Gana was later declared wanted by the Police in 2017.
In addition, the Benue state government placed a N10 million bounty on him.