Wednesday, September 8, 2020 marked the end of one of the most wanted gangsters in the country. His name is Terwase Akwaza alias Gana. He died in controversial circumstances, just as he had lived. He wanted to be seen as a savior and a defender of the Tiv people against external aggression. But sources said that he perpetrated atrocities on his kinsmen even while claiming that he was protecting them against external aggressors. Mr. Akwaza was notorious for alleged several criminal activities including banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, ritual killings and cattle rustling. First Amnesty When Governor Samuel Ortom initiated an Amnesty programme in 2015, Gana was the greatest beneficiary. On the last day of the programme, he turned in 84 assorted firearms and thousands of ammunition. He was granted Amnesty and made Leader of the beneficiaries.
The State Government made him a revenue consultant as part of his rehabilitation and that of the other beneficiaries and he made a fortune. Sources said he reneged after it was alleged that he sponsored the assassination of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Security, Mr. Denen Igbana. Instead of making himself available for investigation and the judicial process, he chose to go back to his vomit. In fact, many concluded that Gana constituted himself into an alternate government and enjoyed the status of a maximum ruler in the jungle. Seccurity sources said his area of operation was mainly what is known as the Sankera geo-political axis which comprises Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State.
Sovereign National Conference now, not amendment to 1999 Constitution His exploits He reportedly presided over the activities of that empire from the jungle of Gbise, his immediate community where he allegedly enjoyed the protection of the community which played a big role in shielding him from the arm of the law. The Benue State Security Council moved against him by declaring him wanted and placing a bounty of N10 million which was later increased to N50 million on him. The state security apparatus carried out several expeditions to his enclave in a bid to arrest him, all to no avail.
These efforts were later complemented by the Federal Government which joined the manhunt through, first “Operation Ayem A Kpatuma” and later “Operation Whirlstroke”. All efforts to track and arrest him, however, proved abortive. Meanwhile, police sources said he ran an organized and sophisticated network of criminal activities in his chosen domain and conducted affairs with an iron fist. Any challenge to his authority was met with death. Sources revealed that at Akwaza’s orders, whole communities were razed down. His activities in five years between 2015 and 2020 led to the near total collapse of socio-economic activities in that axis.
He strangulated the entire Sankera area which used to be the most productive part of Benue State particularly in agriculture. It is this geo-political axis that gave Benue State the status of Food Basket of the Nation. It was reported that Akwaza killed his victims with relish. He was alleged to have buried people alive and gunned down many at the slightest provocation. In this manner, several traditional rulers were killed in cold blood including the District Head of Mbayongo, Chief Aloo Alev, and his counterpart in Michihe, Chief Chiahemba Livinus Shom,in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
His last victim amongst traditional rulers was Chief Awua Alabar, District Head of Kundav in Ukum Local Government Area, who was killed in the presence of his family. Killings galore Outside this group, numerous others from various walks of life had incurred his wrath. These included Mr. Igbana, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ortom on Special Security and Msugh Tyavyar alias Pastor whose roles in the prosecution of the first amnesty programme he considered a threat to his interest. Both were brutally gunned down by people believed to be sent by Mr. Akwaza. Perhaps what many consider incomprehensible and most dastardly was the abduction and murder of Mrs. Esther Nguumbur Tur, wife of Justice Tine Tur of the Court of Appeal and her companion, Mrs. Mbalamen Kpensuen Aminde, allegedly on the orders of Mr. Akwaza, after collecting ransom and seizing the Hilux van vehicle in which they were abducted. The Appeal Court Justice could not survive the trauma of his wife’s murder. He died shortly afterwards.
Akwaza was at the centre of the crisis brewing between Benue and Taraba border communities leading to the death of many and destruction of property worth billions of naira on both sides. He was believed to be the man behind most kidnappings in Taraba and Benue States. His Tiv kinsmen suffered the consequences of his dastardly actions on many occasions.
A community leader in Makurdi told Saturday Vanguard that the notion that Gana was defending Tiv people from Fulani attacks is one of the most fictional stories of this decade. Our investigations do not point to any instance when Akwaza put the interest of his people above his quest for personal glory and wealth. He was known to be responsible for cattle rustling in conspiracy with Fulani elements. He was never a defender of Sankera people. Extortion and illegal levies “Mr Akwaza placed special levies on farmers, traders and prominent people in his domain.
Failure to pay meant death. He fought supremacy gang wars with his former allies which visited devastation on several communities in Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas. This state of affairs prompted prominent indigenes of the geopolitical axis, including political, religious and traditional leaders to request for a 2nd Amnesty programme especially since the military had failed to nab him,” the leader who sought strict anonymity stated. Second amnesty On Friday, 4th September, 2020, Governor Ortom while on project commissioning and inspection tour of the Sankera axis accepted the request of the leaders.
The governor gave an ultimatum for those who wanted to embrace the 2nd Amnesty to surrender their weapons on Tuesday, 8th September to become beneficiaries of the programme. Before the governor’s recent visit, major stakeholders from the Sankera area had done painstaking work to persuade those with illegal weapons in their custody to embrace the 2nd Amnesty programme by surrendering those weapons. Such were the circumstances Mr. Akwaza found himself in the second Amnesty programme. Police sources said in company of religious leaders, he left his hideout and presented himself at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala in full public glare to embrace the programme.
The State Security Council was holding a meeting at the New Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi where the second Amnesty programme was to be formalized. Selected traditional rulers, prominent indigenes and security personnel took off with Mr. Akwaza and other potential beneficiaries from the stadium to come and present them to the Council. It was gathered that before he left his domain, he beckoned on leaders of his foot soldiers and told them that he was suspecting foul play and if eventually he failed to return, they should continue from where he stopped. On their way to Makurdi, the military intercepted the convoy at Masaje, close to Yandev in Gboko Local Government Area.
How he was killed The soldiers reportedly pulled out the Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman, Alfred Orya Atera and his security detail, a former House of Assembly member, Dr Ianna Jato, from the Chairman’s official vehicle in which Mr Akwaza was being conveyed to Makurdi. The military took the vehicle and Mr. Akwaza away. They also arrested close to a hundred other potential Amnesty beneficiaries from Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local government areas. Unconfirmed reports alleged that the military killed some of the potential beneficiaries near Moji Farms after Tse-Kucha, and later killed Mr Akwaza at another location in Nasarawa State. News of this development filtered into the venue of the Expanded State Security Council meeting as unconfirmed rumors. Reliable sources revealed that most of those present, including Governor Ortom, Senator Gabriel Suswam and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, were shocked.
This prompted the abrupt end of the meeting. Governor Ortom while addressing journalists later stated that the convoy conveying Mr. Akwaza and other potential Amnesty beneficiaries had been intercepted and that Major General Adeyemi Yekini of Operation Whirlstroke had confirmed this and promised to get back to him. Statement from the Military What came next was a statement from the Commander of the 4 Special Forces based in Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Gazama Ali, that Mr. Akwaza had been killed in a gunfight with the military, with the picture of the wanted gangster at the back of the official vehicle of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman. His death elicited mixed reactions as many thought that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam, traditional and religious leaders betrayed Mr. Akwaza.
However, others stated that the military, acting the script of the Fulani conquest agenda, eliminated Gana to pave way for further unhindered attacks on Benue communities. Political pundits in opposing camps canvassed the opinion that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have used Mr. Akwaza in the 2019 general elections and have decided to dump him on account of his insatiable financial demands, hence they decided to use the federal government controlled Army to eliminate him and put the blame on Governor Ortom.
Yet, many conversant with his criminal activities stated that it was the law of karma or retributive justice that caught up with Mr. Akwaza. They believe that the blood of his victims has cried out to God for vengeance. Investigations, however, revealed that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam and leaders from the Sankera axis did not reckon that the military would eliminate Mr. Akwaza on the way to Makurdi. Findings show that the leaders were not privy to the military operation and that the military seized the opportunity to upturn a most prized security trophy that had eluded them for years. It is reported that when the news of the elimination of Mr. Akwaza filtered into the venue of the Security meeting, Senator Suswam and leaders from Sankera were dumbfounded at the turn of events. They felt that their people would conclude that they had betrayed them and collaborated with the military to eliminate Mr. Akwaza and the others.
Apprehension,fears over reprisal Security sources told Saturday Vanguard that the danger therein is that Gana had a large network and it is not possible to eliminate all his gang members at the same time. This means that his death could spark reprisals. A government house source stated unequivocally that “From the first Amnesty programme, Governor Ortom had indicated clearly that he was committed to the carrot approach especially when the military failed to stop Gana. Usually a man of his word, he could not have broken his word by arranging Gana’s elimination.”
However, the general feeling among people interviewed is that it amounted to extra-judicial killing for the military to have executed Mr. Akwaza and the others after they had surrendered. Such people consider the statement by the military that Gana was killed in a gunfight as untenable. Others stated that as at the time the military intercepted Mr. Akwaza and his gang members, they were yet to be beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme. Conclusively, the fear is that for Gana to be extra-judiciary killed without recourse to civilized norms and global best practices, a major crisis akin to Boko Haram menace may have been ignited from Benue axis.
Wednesday, September 8,
2020 marked the end of one of the most wanted gangsters in the country.
His name is Terwase Akwaza alias Gana.
He died in controversial circumstances, just as he had lived. He wanted
to be seen as a savior and a defender of the Tiv people against external
aggression. But sources said that he perpetrated atrocities on his
kinsmen even while claiming that he was protecting them against external
aggressors. Mr. Akwaza was notorious for alleged several criminal
activities including banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, ritual
killings and cattle rustling.
First Amnesty
When Governor Samuel Ortom initiated an Amnesty programme in 2015, Gana
was the greatest beneficiary. On the last day of the programme, he
turned in 84 assorted firearms and thousands of ammunition. He was
granted Amnesty and made Leader of the beneficiaries. The State
Government made him a revenue consultant as part of his rehabilitation
and that of the other beneficiaries and he made a fortune.
Sources said he reneged after it was alleged that he sponsored the
assassination of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special
Security, Mr. Denen Igbana. Instead of making himself available for
investigation and the judicial process, he chose to go back to his
vomit. In fact, many concluded that Gana constituted himself into an
alternate government and enjoyed the status of a maximum ruler in the
jungle. Seccurity sources said his area of operation was mainly what is
known as the Sankera geo-political axis which comprises Katsina-Ala,
Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State.
READ ALSOSovereign National Conference now, not amendment to 1999
Constitution
His exploits
He reportedly presided over the activities of that empire from the
jungle of Gbise, his immediate community where he allegedly enjoyed the
protection of the community which played a big role in shielding him
from the arm of the law. The Benue State Security Council moved against
him by declaring him wanted and placing a bounty of N10 million which
was later increased to N50 million on him.
The state security apparatus carried out several expeditions to his
enclave in a bid to arrest him, all to no avail. These efforts were
later complemented by the Federal Government which joined the manhunt
through, first “Operation Ayem A Kpatuma” and later “Operation
Whirlstroke”. All efforts to track and arrest him, however, proved
abortive. Meanwhile, police sources said he ran an organized and
sophisticated network of criminal activities in his chosen domain and
conducted affairs with an iron fist. Any challenge to his authority was
met with death.
Sources revealed that at Akwaza’s orders, whole communities were razed
down. His activities in five years between 2015 and 2020 led to the near
total collapse of socio-economic activities in that axis. He
strangulated the entire Sankera area which used to be the most
productive part of Benue State particularly in agriculture. It is this
geo-political axis that gave Benue State the status of Food Basket of
the Nation.
It was reported that Akwaza killed his victims with relish. He was
alleged to have buried people alive and gunned down many at the
slightest provocation. In this manner, several traditional rulers were
killed in cold blood including the District Head of Mbayongo, Chief Aloo
Alev, and his counterpart in Michihe, Chief Chiahemba Livinus Shom,in
Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. His last victim amongst traditional
rulers was Chief Awua Alabar, District Head of Kundav in Ukum Local
Government Area, who was killed in the presence of his family.
Killings galore
Outside this group, numerous others from various walks of life had
incurred his wrath. These included Mr. Igbana, Senior Special Assistant
to Governor Ortom on Special Security and Msugh Tyavyar alias Pastor
whose roles in the prosecution of the first amnesty programme he
considered a threat to his interest. Both were brutally gunned down by
people believed to be sent by Mr. Akwaza. Perhaps what many consider
incomprehensible and most dastardly was the abduction and murder of Mrs.
Esther Nguumbur Tur, wife of Justice Tine Tur of the Court of Appeal
and her companion, Mrs. Mbalamen Kpensuen Aminde, allegedly on the
orders of Mr. Akwaza, after collecting ransom and seizing the Hilux van
vehicle in which they were abducted. The Appeal Court Justice could not
survive the trauma of his wife’s murder. He died shortly afterwards.
Akwaza was at the centre of the crisis brewing between Benue and Taraba
border communities leading to the death of many and destruction of
property worth billions of naira on both sides. He was believed to be
the man behind most kidnappings in Taraba and Benue States. His Tiv
kinsmen suffered the consequences of his dastardly actions on many
occasions. A community leader in Makurdi told Saturday Vanguard that the
notion that Gana was defending Tiv people from Fulani attacks is one of
the most fictional stories of this decade. Our investigations do not
point to any instance when Akwaza put the interest of his people above
his quest for personal glory and wealth. He was known to be responsible
for cattle rustling in conspiracy with Fulani elements. He was never a
defender of Sankera people.
Extortion and illegal levies
“Mr Akwaza placed special levies on farmers, traders and prominent
people in his domain. Failure to pay meant death. He fought supremacy
gang wars with his former allies which visited devastation on several
communities in Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas. This state
of affairs prompted prominent indigenes of the geopolitical axis,
including political, religious and traditional leaders to request for a
2nd Amnesty programme especially since the military had failed to nab
him,” the leader who sought strict anonymity stated.
Second amnesty
On Friday, 4th September, 2020, Governor Ortom while on project
commissioning and inspection tour of the Sankera axis accepted the
request of the leaders. The governor gave an ultimatum for those who
wanted to embrace the 2nd Amnesty to surrender their weapons on Tuesday,
8th September to become beneficiaries of the programme. Before the
governor’s recent visit, major stakeholders from the Sankera area had
done painstaking work to persuade those with illegal weapons in their
custody to embrace the 2nd Amnesty programme by surrendering those
weapons. Such were the circumstances Mr. Akwaza found himself in the
second Amnesty programme.
Police sources said in company of religious leaders, he left his hideout
and presented himself at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium in
Katsina-Ala in full public glare to embrace the programme. The State
Security Council was holding a meeting at the New Banquet Hall of
Government House, Makurdi where the second Amnesty programme was to be
formalized. Selected traditional rulers, prominent indigenes and
security personnel took off with Mr. Akwaza and other potential
beneficiaries from the stadium to come and present them to the Council.
It was gathered that before he left his domain, he beckoned on leaders
of his foot soldiers and told them that he was suspecting foul play and
if eventually he failed to return, they should continue from where he
stopped. On their way to Makurdi, the military intercepted the convoy at
Masaje, close to Yandev in Gboko Local Government Area.
How he was killed
The soldiers reportedly pulled out the Katsina-Ala Local Government
Chairman, Alfred Orya Atera and his security detail, a former House of
Assembly member, Dr Ianna Jato, from the Chairman’s official vehicle in
which Mr Akwaza was being conveyed to Makurdi. The military took the
vehicle and Mr. Akwaza away. They also arrested close to a hundred other
potential Amnesty beneficiaries from Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local
government areas. Unconfirmed reports alleged that the military killed
some of the potential beneficiaries near Moji Farms after Tse-Kucha, and
later killed Mr Akwaza at another location in Nasarawa State.
News of this development filtered into the venue of the Expanded State
Security Council meeting as unconfirmed rumors. Reliable sources
revealed that most of those present, including Governor Ortom, Senator
Gabriel Suswam and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, were shocked.
This prompted the abrupt end of the meeting. Governor Ortom while
addressing journalists later stated that the convoy conveying Mr. Akwaza
and other potential Amnesty beneficiaries had been intercepted and that
Major General Adeyemi Yekini of Operation Whirlstroke had confirmed
this and promised to get back to him.
Statement from the Military
What came next was a statement from the Commander of the 4 Special
Forces based in Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Gazama Ali,
that Mr. Akwaza had been killed in a gunfight with the military, with
the picture of the wanted gangster at the back of the official vehicle
of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman. His death elicited mixed
reactions as many thought that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam,
traditional and religious leaders betrayed Mr. Akwaza. However, others
stated that the military, acting the script of the Fulani conquest
agenda, eliminated Gana to pave way for further unhindered attacks on
Benue communities.
Political pundits in opposing camps canvassed the opinion that the All
Progressives Congress (APC) may have used Mr. Akwaza in the 2019 general
elections and have decided to dump him on account of his insatiable
financial demands, hence they decided to use the federal government
controlled Army to eliminate him and put the blame on Governor Ortom.
Yet, many conversant with his criminal activities stated that it was the
law of karma or retributive justice that caught up with Mr. Akwaza.
They believe that the blood of his victims has cried out to God for
vengeance.
Investigations, however, revealed that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam
and leaders from the Sankera axis did not reckon that the military would
eliminate Mr. Akwaza on the way to Makurdi. Findings show that the
leaders were not privy to the military operation and that the military
seized the opportunity to upturn a most prized security trophy that had
eluded them for years. It is reported that when the news of the
elimination of Mr. Akwaza filtered into the venue of the Security
meeting, Senator Suswam and leaders from Sankera were dumbfounded at the
turn of events. They felt that their people would conclude that they
had betrayed them and collaborated with the military to eliminate Mr.
Akwaza and the others.
Apprehension,fears over reprisal
Security sources told Saturday Vanguard that the danger therein is that
Gana had a large network and it is not possible to eliminate all his
gang members at the same time. This means that his death could spark
reprisals. A government house source stated unequivocally that “From the
first Amnesty programme, Governor Ortom had indicated clearly that he
was committed to the carrot approach especially when the military failed
to stop Gana. Usually a man of his word, he could not have broken his
word by arranging Gana’s elimination.”
However, the general feeling among people interviewed is that it
amounted to extra-judicial killing for the military to have executed Mr.
Akwaza and the others after they had surrendered. Such people consider
the statement by the military that Gana was killed in a gunfight as
untenable. Others stated that as at the time the military intercepted
Mr. Akwaza and his gang members, they were yet to be beneficiaries of
the Amnesty programme. Conclusively, the fear is that for Gana to be
extra-judiciary killed without recourse to civilized norms and global
best practices, a major crisis akin to Boko Haram menace may have been
ignited from Benue axis.
Read more at:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/ganas-last-words-to-his-gang-if-amnesty-is-a-ploy-to-kill-me-stay-in-the-forest-and-avenge-my-death-2/
Wednesday, September 8,
2020 marked the end of one of the most wanted gangsters in the country.
His name is Terwase Akwaza alias Gana.
He died in controversial circumstances, just as he had lived. He wanted
to be seen as a savior and a defender of the Tiv people against external
aggression. But sources said that he perpetrated atrocities on his
kinsmen even while claiming that he was protecting them against external
aggressors. Mr. Akwaza was notorious for alleged several criminal
activities including banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, ritual
killings and cattle rustling.
First Amnesty
When Governor Samuel Ortom initiated an Amnesty programme in 2015, Gana
was the greatest beneficiary. On the last day of the programme, he
turned in 84 assorted firearms and thousands of ammunition. He was
granted Amnesty and made Leader of the beneficiaries. The State
Government made him a revenue consultant as part of his rehabilitation
and that of the other beneficiaries and he made a fortune.
Sources said he reneged after it was alleged that he sponsored the
assassination of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special
Security, Mr. Denen Igbana. Instead of making himself available for
investigation and the judicial process, he chose to go back to his
vomit. In fact, many concluded that Gana constituted himself into an
alternate government and enjoyed the status of a maximum ruler in the
jungle. Seccurity sources said his area of operation was mainly what is
known as the Sankera geo-political axis which comprises Katsina-Ala,
Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State.
READ ALSOSovereign National Conference now, not amendment to 1999
Constitution
His exploits
He reportedly presided over the activities of that empire from the
jungle of Gbise, his immediate community where he allegedly enjoyed the
protection of the community which played a big role in shielding him
from the arm of the law. The Benue State Security Council moved against
him by declaring him wanted and placing a bounty of N10 million which
was later increased to N50 million on him.
The state security apparatus carried out several expeditions to his
enclave in a bid to arrest him, all to no avail. These efforts were
later complemented by the Federal Government which joined the manhunt
through, first “Operation Ayem A Kpatuma” and later “Operation
Whirlstroke”. All efforts to track and arrest him, however, proved
abortive. Meanwhile, police sources said he ran an organized and
sophisticated network of criminal activities in his chosen domain and
conducted affairs with an iron fist. Any challenge to his authority was
met with death.
Sources revealed that at Akwaza’s orders, whole communities were razed
down. His activities in five years between 2015 and 2020 led to the near
total collapse of socio-economic activities in that axis. He
strangulated the entire Sankera area which used to be the most
productive part of Benue State particularly in agriculture. It is this
geo-political axis that gave Benue State the status of Food Basket of
the Nation.
It was reported that Akwaza killed his victims with relish. He was
alleged to have buried people alive and gunned down many at the
slightest provocation. In this manner, several traditional rulers were
killed in cold blood including the District Head of Mbayongo, Chief Aloo
Alev, and his counterpart in Michihe, Chief Chiahemba Livinus Shom,in
Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. His last victim amongst traditional
rulers was Chief Awua Alabar, District Head of Kundav in Ukum Local
Government Area, who was killed in the presence of his family.
Killings galore
Outside this group, numerous others from various walks of life had
incurred his wrath. These included Mr. Igbana, Senior Special Assistant
to Governor Ortom on Special Security and Msugh Tyavyar alias Pastor
whose roles in the prosecution of the first amnesty programme he
considered a threat to his interest. Both were brutally gunned down by
people believed to be sent by Mr. Akwaza. Perhaps what many consider
incomprehensible and most dastardly was the abduction and murder of Mrs.
Esther Nguumbur Tur, wife of Justice Tine Tur of the Court of Appeal
and her companion, Mrs. Mbalamen Kpensuen Aminde, allegedly on the
orders of Mr. Akwaza, after collecting ransom and seizing the Hilux van
vehicle in which they were abducted. The Appeal Court Justice could not
survive the trauma of his wife’s murder. He died shortly afterwards.
Akwaza was at the centre of the crisis brewing between Benue and Taraba
border communities leading to the death of many and destruction of
property worth billions of naira on both sides. He was believed to be
the man behind most kidnappings in Taraba and Benue States. His Tiv
kinsmen suffered the consequences of his dastardly actions on many
occasions. A community leader in Makurdi told Saturday Vanguard that the
notion that Gana was defending Tiv people from Fulani attacks is one of
the most fictional stories of this decade. Our investigations do not
point to any instance when Akwaza put the interest of his people above
his quest for personal glory and wealth. He was known to be responsible
for cattle rustling in conspiracy with Fulani elements. He was never a
defender of Sankera people.
Extortion and illegal levies
“Mr Akwaza placed special levies on farmers, traders and prominent
people in his domain. Failure to pay meant death. He fought supremacy
gang wars with his former allies which visited devastation on several
communities in Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas. This state
of affairs prompted prominent indigenes of the geopolitical axis,
including political, religious and traditional leaders to request for a
2nd Amnesty programme especially since the military had failed to nab
him,” the leader who sought strict anonymity stated.
Second amnesty
On Friday, 4th September, 2020, Governor Ortom while on project
commissioning and inspection tour of the Sankera axis accepted the
request of the leaders. The governor gave an ultimatum for those who
wanted to embrace the 2nd Amnesty to surrender their weapons on Tuesday,
8th September to become beneficiaries of the programme. Before the
governor’s recent visit, major stakeholders from the Sankera area had
done painstaking work to persuade those with illegal weapons in their
custody to embrace the 2nd Amnesty programme by surrendering those
weapons. Such were the circumstances Mr. Akwaza found himself in the
second Amnesty programme.
Police sources said in company of religious leaders, he left his hideout
and presented himself at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium in
Katsina-Ala in full public glare to embrace the programme. The State
Security Council was holding a meeting at the New Banquet Hall of
Government House, Makurdi where the second Amnesty programme was to be
formalized. Selected traditional rulers, prominent indigenes and
security personnel took off with Mr. Akwaza and other potential
beneficiaries from the stadium to come and present them to the Council.
It was gathered that before he left his domain, he beckoned on leaders
of his foot soldiers and told them that he was suspecting foul play and
if eventually he failed to return, they should continue from where he
stopped. On their way to Makurdi, the military intercepted the convoy at
Masaje, close to Yandev in Gboko Local Government Area.
How he was killed
The soldiers reportedly pulled out the Katsina-Ala Local Government
Chairman, Alfred Orya Atera and his security detail, a former House of
Assembly member, Dr Ianna Jato, from the Chairman’s official vehicle in
which Mr Akwaza was being conveyed to Makurdi. The military took the
vehicle and Mr. Akwaza away. They also arrested close to a hundred other
potential Amnesty beneficiaries from Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local
government areas. Unconfirmed reports alleged that the military killed
some of the potential beneficiaries near Moji Farms after Tse-Kucha, and
later killed Mr Akwaza at another location in Nasarawa State.
News of this development filtered into the venue of the Expanded State
Security Council meeting as unconfirmed rumors. Reliable sources
revealed that most of those present, including Governor Ortom, Senator
Gabriel Suswam and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, were shocked.
This prompted the abrupt end of the meeting. Governor Ortom while
addressing journalists later stated that the convoy conveying Mr. Akwaza
and other potential Amnesty beneficiaries had been intercepted and that
Major General Adeyemi Yekini of Operation Whirlstroke had confirmed
this and promised to get back to him.
Statement from the Military
What came next was a statement from the Commander of the 4 Special
Forces based in Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Gazama Ali,
that Mr. Akwaza had been killed in a gunfight with the military, with
the picture of the wanted gangster at the back of the official vehicle
of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman. His death elicited mixed
reactions as many thought that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam,
traditional and religious leaders betrayed Mr. Akwaza. However, others
stated that the military, acting the script of the Fulani conquest
agenda, eliminated Gana to pave way for further unhindered attacks on
Benue communities.
Political pundits in opposing camps canvassed the opinion that the All
Progressives Congress (APC) may have used Mr. Akwaza in the 2019 general
elections and have decided to dump him on account of his insatiable
financial demands, hence they decided to use the federal government
controlled Army to eliminate him and put the blame on Governor Ortom.
Yet, many conversant with his criminal activities stated that it was the
law of karma or retributive justice that caught up with Mr. Akwaza.
They believe that the blood of his victims has cried out to God for
vengeance.
Investigations, however, revealed that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam
and leaders from the Sankera axis did not reckon that the military would
eliminate Mr. Akwaza on the way to Makurdi. Findings show that the
leaders were not privy to the military operation and that the military
seized the opportunity to upturn a most prized security trophy that had
eluded them for years. It is reported that when the news of the
elimination of Mr. Akwaza filtered into the venue of the Security
meeting, Senator Suswam and leaders from Sankera were dumbfounded at the
turn of events. They felt that their people would conclude that they
had betrayed them and collaborated with the military to eliminate Mr.
Akwaza and the others.
Apprehension,fears over reprisal
Security sources told Saturday Vanguard that the danger therein is that
Gana had a large network and it is not possible to eliminate all his
gang members at the same time. This means that his death could spark
reprisals. A government house source stated unequivocally that “From the
first Amnesty programme, Governor Ortom had indicated clearly that he
was committed to the carrot approach especially when the military failed
to stop Gana. Usually a man of his word, he could not have broken his
word by arranging Gana’s elimination.”
However, the general feeling among people interviewed is that it
amounted to extra-judicial killing for the military to have executed Mr.
Akwaza and the others after they had surrendered. Such people consider
the statement by the military that Gana was killed in a gunfight as
untenable. Others stated that as at the time the military intercepted
Mr. Akwaza and his gang members, they were yet to be beneficiaries of
the Amnesty programme. Conclusively, the fear is that for Gana to be
extra-judiciary killed without recourse to civilized norms and global
best practices, a major crisis akin to Boko Haram menace may have been
ignited from Benue axis.
Read more at:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/ganas-last-words-to-his-gang-if-amnesty-is-a-ploy-to-kill-me-stay-in-the-forest-and-avenge-my-death-2/
Wednesday, September 8,
2020 marked the end of one of the most wanted gangsters in the country.
His name is Terwase Akwaza alias Gana.
He died in controversial circumstances, just as he had lived. He wanted
to be seen as a savior and a defender of the Tiv people against external
aggression. But sources said that he perpetrated atrocities on his
kinsmen even while claiming that he was protecting them against external
aggressors. Mr. Akwaza was notorious for alleged several criminal
activities including banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, ritual
killings and cattle rustling.
First Amnesty
When Governor Samuel Ortom initiated an Amnesty programme in 2015, Gana
was the greatest beneficiary. On the last day of the programme, he
turned in 84 assorted firearms and thousands of ammunition. He was
granted Amnesty and made Leader of the beneficiaries. The State
Government made him a revenue consultant as part of his rehabilitation
and that of the other beneficiaries and he made a fortune.
Sources said he reneged after it was alleged that he sponsored the
assassination of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special
Security, Mr. Denen Igbana. Instead of making himself available for
investigation and the judicial process, he chose to go back to his
vomit. In fact, many concluded that Gana constituted himself into an
alternate government and enjoyed the status of a maximum ruler in the
jungle. Seccurity sources said his area of operation was mainly what is
known as the Sankera geo-political axis which comprises Katsina-Ala,
Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State.
READ ALSOSovereign National Conference now, not amendment to 1999
Constitution
His exploits
He reportedly presided over the activities of that empire from the
jungle of Gbise, his immediate community where he allegedly enjoyed the
protection of the community which played a big role in shielding him
from the arm of the law. The Benue State Security Council moved against
him by declaring him wanted and placing a bounty of N10 million which
was later increased to N50 million on him.
The state security apparatus carried out several expeditions to his
enclave in a bid to arrest him, all to no avail. These efforts were
later complemented by the Federal Government which joined the manhunt
through, first “Operation Ayem A Kpatuma” and later “Operation
Whirlstroke”. All efforts to track and arrest him, however, proved
abortive. Meanwhile, police sources said he ran an organized and
sophisticated network of criminal activities in his chosen domain and
conducted affairs with an iron fist. Any challenge to his authority was
met with death.
Sources revealed that at Akwaza’s orders, whole communities were razed
down. His activities in five years between 2015 and 2020 led to the near
total collapse of socio-economic activities in that axis. He
strangulated the entire Sankera area which used to be the most
productive part of Benue State particularly in agriculture. It is this
geo-political axis that gave Benue State the status of Food Basket of
the Nation.
It was reported that Akwaza killed his victims with relish. He was
alleged to have buried people alive and gunned down many at the
slightest provocation. In this manner, several traditional rulers were
killed in cold blood including the District Head of Mbayongo, Chief Aloo
Alev, and his counterpart in Michihe, Chief Chiahemba Livinus Shom,in
Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. His last victim amongst traditional
rulers was Chief Awua Alabar, District Head of Kundav in Ukum Local
Government Area, who was killed in the presence of his family.
Killings galore
Outside this group, numerous others from various walks of life had
incurred his wrath. These included Mr. Igbana, Senior Special Assistant
to Governor Ortom on Special Security and Msugh Tyavyar alias Pastor
whose roles in the prosecution of the first amnesty programme he
considered a threat to his interest. Both were brutally gunned down by
people believed to be sent by Mr. Akwaza. Perhaps what many consider
incomprehensible and most dastardly was the abduction and murder of Mrs.
Esther Nguumbur Tur, wife of Justice Tine Tur of the Court of Appeal
and her companion, Mrs. Mbalamen Kpensuen Aminde, allegedly on the
orders of Mr. Akwaza, after collecting ransom and seizing the Hilux van
vehicle in which they were abducted. The Appeal Court Justice could not
survive the trauma of his wife’s murder. He died shortly afterwards.
Akwaza was at the centre of the crisis brewing between Benue and Taraba
border communities leading to the death of many and destruction of
property worth billions of naira on both sides. He was believed to be
the man behind most kidnappings in Taraba and Benue States. His Tiv
kinsmen suffered the consequences of his dastardly actions on many
occasions. A community leader in Makurdi told Saturday Vanguard that the
notion that Gana was defending Tiv people from Fulani attacks is one of
the most fictional stories of this decade. Our investigations do not
point to any instance when Akwaza put the interest of his people above
his quest for personal glory and wealth. He was known to be responsible
for cattle rustling in conspiracy with Fulani elements. He was never a
defender of Sankera people.
Extortion and illegal levies
“Mr Akwaza placed special levies on farmers, traders and prominent
people in his domain. Failure to pay meant death. He fought supremacy
gang wars with his former allies which visited devastation on several
communities in Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas. This state
of affairs prompted prominent indigenes of the geopolitical axis,
including political, religious and traditional leaders to request for a
2nd Amnesty programme especially since the military had failed to nab
him,” the leader who sought strict anonymity stated.
Second amnesty
On Friday, 4th September, 2020, Governor Ortom while on project
commissioning and inspection tour of the Sankera axis accepted the
request of the leaders. The governor gave an ultimatum for those who
wanted to embrace the 2nd Amnesty to surrender their weapons on Tuesday,
8th September to become beneficiaries of the programme. Before the
governor’s recent visit, major stakeholders from the Sankera area had
done painstaking work to persuade those with illegal weapons in their
custody to embrace the 2nd Amnesty programme by surrendering those
weapons. Such were the circumstances Mr. Akwaza found himself in the
second Amnesty programme.
Police sources said in company of religious leaders, he left his hideout
and presented himself at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium in
Katsina-Ala in full public glare to embrace the programme. The State
Security Council was holding a meeting at the New Banquet Hall of
Government House, Makurdi where the second Amnesty programme was to be
formalized. Selected traditional rulers, prominent indigenes and
security personnel took off with Mr. Akwaza and other potential
beneficiaries from the stadium to come and present them to the Council.
It was gathered that before he left his domain, he beckoned on leaders
of his foot soldiers and told them that he was suspecting foul play and
if eventually he failed to return, they should continue from where he
stopped. On their way to Makurdi, the military intercepted the convoy at
Masaje, close to Yandev in Gboko Local Government Area.
How he was killed
The soldiers reportedly pulled out the Katsina-Ala Local Government
Chairman, Alfred Orya Atera and his security detail, a former House of
Assembly member, Dr Ianna Jato, from the Chairman’s official vehicle in
which Mr Akwaza was being conveyed to Makurdi. The military took the
vehicle and Mr. Akwaza away. They also arrested close to a hundred other
potential Amnesty beneficiaries from Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local
government areas. Unconfirmed reports alleged that the military killed
some of the potential beneficiaries near Moji Farms after Tse-Kucha, and
later killed Mr Akwaza at another location in Nasarawa State.
News of this development filtered into the venue of the Expanded State
Security Council meeting as unconfirmed rumors. Reliable sources
revealed that most of those present, including Governor Ortom, Senator
Gabriel Suswam and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, were shocked.
This prompted the abrupt end of the meeting. Governor Ortom while
addressing journalists later stated that the convoy conveying Mr. Akwaza
and other potential Amnesty beneficiaries had been intercepted and that
Major General Adeyemi Yekini of Operation Whirlstroke had confirmed
this and promised to get back to him.
Statement from the Military
What came next was a statement from the Commander of the 4 Special
Forces based in Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Gazama Ali,
that Mr. Akwaza had been killed in a gunfight with the military, with
the picture of the wanted gangster at the back of the official vehicle
of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman. His death elicited mixed
reactions as many thought that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam,
traditional and religious leaders betrayed Mr. Akwaza. However, others
stated that the military, acting the script of the Fulani conquest
agenda, eliminated Gana to pave way for further unhindered attacks on
Benue communities.
Political pundits in opposing camps canvassed the opinion that the All
Progressives Congress (APC) may have used Mr. Akwaza in the 2019 general
elections and have decided to dump him on account of his insatiable
financial demands, hence they decided to use the federal government
controlled Army to eliminate him and put the blame on Governor Ortom.
Yet, many conversant with his criminal activities stated that it was the
law of karma or retributive justice that caught up with Mr. Akwaza.
They believe that the blood of his victims has cried out to God for
vengeance.
Investigations, however, revealed that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam
and leaders from the Sankera axis did not reckon that the military would
eliminate Mr. Akwaza on the way to Makurdi. Findings show that the
leaders were not privy to the military operation and that the military
seized the opportunity to upturn a most prized security trophy that had
eluded them for years. It is reported that when the news of the
elimination of Mr. Akwaza filtered into the venue of the Security
meeting, Senator Suswam and leaders from Sankera were dumbfounded at the
turn of events. They felt that their people would conclude that they
had betrayed them and collaborated with the military to eliminate Mr.
Akwaza and the others.
Apprehension,fears over reprisal
Security sources told Saturday Vanguard that the danger therein is that
Gana had a large network and it is not possible to eliminate all his
gang members at the same time. This means that his death could spark
reprisals. A government house source stated unequivocally that “From the
first Amnesty programme, Governor Ortom had indicated clearly that he
was committed to the carrot approach especially when the military failed
to stop Gana. Usually a man of his word, he could not have broken his
word by arranging Gana’s elimination.”
However, the general feeling among people interviewed is that it
amounted to extra-judicial killing for the military to have executed Mr.
Akwaza and the others after they had surrendered. Such people consider
the statement by the military that Gana was killed in a gunfight as
untenable. Others stated that as at the time the military intercepted
Mr. Akwaza and his gang members, they were yet to be beneficiaries of
the Amnesty programme. Conclusively, the fear is that for Gana to be
extra-judiciary killed without recourse to civilized norms and global
best practices, a major crisis akin to Boko Haram menace may have been
ignited from Benue axis.
Read more at:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/ganas-last-words-to-his-gang-if-amnesty-is-a-ploy-to-kill-me-stay-in-the-forest-and-avenge-my-death-2/
Wednesday, September 8,
2020 marked the end of one of the most wanted gangsters in the country.
His name is Terwase Akwaza alias Gana.
He died in controversial circumstances, just as he had lived. He wanted
to be seen as a savior and a defender of the Tiv people against external
aggression. But sources said that he perpetrated atrocities on his
kinsmen even while claiming that he was protecting them against external
aggressors. Mr. Akwaza was notorious for alleged several criminal
activities including banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, ritual
killings and cattle rustling.
First Amnesty
When Governor Samuel Ortom initiated an Amnesty programme in 2015, Gana
was the greatest beneficiary. On the last day of the programme, he
turned in 84 assorted firearms and thousands of ammunition. He was
granted Amnesty and made Leader of the beneficiaries. The State
Government made him a revenue consultant as part of his rehabilitation
and that of the other beneficiaries and he made a fortune.
Sources said he reneged after it was alleged that he sponsored the
assassination of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special
Security, Mr. Denen Igbana. Instead of making himself available for
investigation and the judicial process, he chose to go back to his
vomit. In fact, many concluded that Gana constituted himself into an
alternate government and enjoyed the status of a maximum ruler in the
jungle. Seccurity sources said his area of operation was mainly what is
known as the Sankera geo-political axis which comprises Katsina-Ala,
Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State.
READ ALSOSovereign National Conference now, not amendment to 1999
Constitution
His exploits
He reportedly presided over the activities of that empire from the
jungle of Gbise, his immediate community where he allegedly enjoyed the
protection of the community which played a big role in shielding him
from the arm of the law. The Benue State Security Council moved against
him by declaring him wanted and placing a bounty of N10 million which
was later increased to N50 million on him.
The state security apparatus carried out several expeditions to his
enclave in a bid to arrest him, all to no avail. These efforts were
later complemented by the Federal Government which joined the manhunt
through, first “Operation Ayem A Kpatuma” and later “Operation
Whirlstroke”. All efforts to track and arrest him, however, proved
abortive. Meanwhile, police sources said he ran an organized and
sophisticated network of criminal activities in his chosen domain and
conducted affairs with an iron fist. Any challenge to his authority was
met with death.
Sources revealed that at Akwaza’s orders, whole communities were razed
down. His activities in five years between 2015 and 2020 led to the near
total collapse of socio-economic activities in that axis. He
strangulated the entire Sankera area which used to be the most
productive part of Benue State particularly in agriculture. It is this
geo-political axis that gave Benue State the status of Food Basket of
the Nation.
It was reported that Akwaza killed his victims with relish. He was
alleged to have buried people alive and gunned down many at the
slightest provocation. In this manner, several traditional rulers were
killed in cold blood including the District Head of Mbayongo, Chief Aloo
Alev, and his counterpart in Michihe, Chief Chiahemba Livinus Shom,in
Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. His last victim amongst traditional
rulers was Chief Awua Alabar, District Head of Kundav in Ukum Local
Government Area, who was killed in the presence of his family.
Killings galore
Outside this group, numerous others from various walks of life had
incurred his wrath. These included Mr. Igbana, Senior Special Assistant
to Governor Ortom on Special Security and Msugh Tyavyar alias Pastor
whose roles in the prosecution of the first amnesty programme he
considered a threat to his interest. Both were brutally gunned down by
people believed to be sent by Mr. Akwaza. Perhaps what many consider
incomprehensible and most dastardly was the abduction and murder of Mrs.
Esther Nguumbur Tur, wife of Justice Tine Tur of the Court of Appeal
and her companion, Mrs. Mbalamen Kpensuen Aminde, allegedly on the
orders of Mr. Akwaza, after collecting ransom and seizing the Hilux van
vehicle in which they were abducted. The Appeal Court Justice could not
survive the trauma of his wife’s murder. He died shortly afterwards.
Akwaza was at the centre of the crisis brewing between Benue and Taraba
border communities leading to the death of many and destruction of
property worth billions of naira on both sides. He was believed to be
the man behind most kidnappings in Taraba and Benue States. His Tiv
kinsmen suffered the consequences of his dastardly actions on many
occasions. A community leader in Makurdi told Saturday Vanguard that the
notion that Gana was defending Tiv people from Fulani attacks is one of
the most fictional stories of this decade. Our investigations do not
point to any instance when Akwaza put the interest of his people above
his quest for personal glory and wealth. He was known to be responsible
for cattle rustling in conspiracy with Fulani elements. He was never a
defender of Sankera people.
Extortion and illegal levies
“Mr Akwaza placed special levies on farmers, traders and prominent
people in his domain. Failure to pay meant death. He fought supremacy
gang wars with his former allies which visited devastation on several
communities in Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas. This state
of affairs prompted prominent indigenes of the geopolitical axis,
including political, religious and traditional leaders to request for a
2nd Amnesty programme especially since the military had failed to nab
him,” the leader who sought strict anonymity stated.
Second amnesty
On Friday, 4th September, 2020, Governor Ortom while on project
commissioning and inspection tour of the Sankera axis accepted the
request of the leaders. The governor gave an ultimatum for those who
wanted to embrace the 2nd Amnesty to surrender their weapons on Tuesday,
8th September to become beneficiaries of the programme. Before the
governor’s recent visit, major stakeholders from the Sankera area had
done painstaking work to persuade those with illegal weapons in their
custody to embrace the 2nd Amnesty programme by surrendering those
weapons. Such were the circumstances Mr. Akwaza found himself in the
second Amnesty programme.
Police sources said in company of religious leaders, he left his hideout
and presented himself at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium in
Katsina-Ala in full public glare to embrace the programme. The State
Security Council was holding a meeting at the New Banquet Hall of
Government House, Makurdi where the second Amnesty programme was to be
formalized. Selected traditional rulers, prominent indigenes and
security personnel took off with Mr. Akwaza and other potential
beneficiaries from the stadium to come and present them to the Council.
It was gathered that before he left his domain, he beckoned on leaders
of his foot soldiers and told them that he was suspecting foul play and
if eventually he failed to return, they should continue from where he
stopped. On their way to Makurdi, the military intercepted the convoy at
Masaje, close to Yandev in Gboko Local Government Area.
How he was killed
The soldiers reportedly pulled out the Katsina-Ala Local Government
Chairman, Alfred Orya Atera and his security detail, a former House of
Assembly member, Dr Ianna Jato, from the Chairman’s official vehicle in
which Mr Akwaza was being conveyed to Makurdi. The military took the
vehicle and Mr. Akwaza away. They also arrested close to a hundred other
potential Amnesty beneficiaries from Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local
government areas. Unconfirmed reports alleged that the military killed
some of the potential beneficiaries near Moji Farms after Tse-Kucha, and
later killed Mr Akwaza at another location in Nasarawa State.
News of this development filtered into the venue of the Expanded State
Security Council meeting as unconfirmed rumors. Reliable sources
revealed that most of those present, including Governor Ortom, Senator
Gabriel Suswam and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, were shocked.
This prompted the abrupt end of the meeting. Governor Ortom while
addressing journalists later stated that the convoy conveying Mr. Akwaza
and other potential Amnesty beneficiaries had been intercepted and that
Major General Adeyemi Yekini of Operation Whirlstroke had confirmed
this and promised to get back to him.
Statement from the Military
What came next was a statement from the Commander of the 4 Special
Forces based in Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Gazama Ali,
that Mr. Akwaza had been killed in a gunfight with the military, with
the picture of the wanted gangster at the back of the official vehicle
of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman. His death elicited mixed
reactions as many thought that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam,
traditional and religious leaders betrayed Mr. Akwaza. However, others
stated that the military, acting the script of the Fulani conquest
agenda, eliminated Gana to pave way for further unhindered attacks on
Benue communities.
Political pundits in opposing camps canvassed the opinion that the All
Progressives Congress (APC) may have used Mr. Akwaza in the 2019 general
elections and have decided to dump him on account of his insatiable
financial demands, hence they decided to use the federal government
controlled Army to eliminate him and put the blame on Governor Ortom.
Yet, many conversant with his criminal activities stated that it was the
law of karma or retributive justice that caught up with Mr. Akwaza.
They believe that the blood of his victims has cried out to God for
vengeance.
Investigations, however, revealed that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam
and leaders from the Sankera axis did not reckon that the military would
eliminate Mr. Akwaza on the way to Makurdi. Findings show that the
leaders were not privy to the military operation and that the military
seized the opportunity to upturn a most prized security trophy that had
eluded them for years. It is reported that when the news of the
elimination of Mr. Akwaza filtered into the venue of the Security
meeting, Senator Suswam and leaders from Sankera were dumbfounded at the
turn of events. They felt that their people would conclude that they
had betrayed them and collaborated with the military to eliminate Mr.
Akwaza and the others.
Apprehension,fears over reprisal
Security sources told Saturday Vanguard that the danger therein is that
Gana had a large network and it is not possible to eliminate all his
gang members at the same time. This means that his death could spark
reprisals. A government house source stated unequivocally that “From the
first Amnesty programme, Governor Ortom had indicated clearly that he
was committed to the carrot approach especially when the military failed
to stop Gana. Usually a man of his word, he could not have broken his
word by arranging Gana’s elimination.”
However, the general feeling among people interviewed is that it
amounted to extra-judicial killing for the military to have executed Mr.
Akwaza and the others after they had surrendered. Such people consider
the statement by the military that Gana was killed in a gunfight as
untenable. Others stated that as at the time the military intercepted
Mr. Akwaza and his gang members, they were yet to be beneficiaries of
the Amnesty programme. Conclusively, the fear is that for Gana to be
extra-judiciary killed without recourse to civilized norms and global
best practices, a major crisis akin to Boko Haram menace may have been
ignited from Benue axis.
Read more at:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/ganas-last-words-to-his-gang-if-amnesty-is-a-ploy-to-kill-me-stay-in-the-forest-and-avenge-my-death-2/
Wednesday, September 8,
2020 marked the end of one of the most wanted gangsters in the country.
His name is Terwase Akwaza alias Gana.
He died in controversial circumstances, just as he had lived. He wanted
to be seen as a savior and a defender of the Tiv people against external
aggression. But sources said that he perpetrated atrocities on his
kinsmen even while claiming that he was protecting them against external
aggressors. Mr. Akwaza was notorious for alleged several criminal
activities including banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, ritual
killings and cattle rustling.
First Amnesty
When Governor Samuel Ortom initiated an Amnesty programme in 2015, Gana
was the greatest beneficiary. On the last day of the programme, he
turned in 84 assorted firearms and thousands of ammunition. He was
granted Amnesty and made Leader of the beneficiaries. The State
Government made him a revenue consultant as part of his rehabilitation
and that of the other beneficiaries and he made a fortune.
Sources said he reneged after it was alleged that he sponsored the
assassination of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special
Security, Mr. Denen Igbana. Instead of making himself available for
investigation and the judicial process, he chose to go back to his
vomit. In fact, many concluded that Gana constituted himself into an
alternate government and enjoyed the status of a maximum ruler in the
jungle. Seccurity sources said his area of operation was mainly what is
known as the Sankera geo-political axis which comprises Katsina-Ala,
Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State.
READ ALSOSovereign National Conference now, not amendment to 1999
Constitution
His exploits
He reportedly presided over the activities of that empire from the
jungle of Gbise, his immediate community where he allegedly enjoyed the
protection of the community which played a big role in shielding him
from the arm of the law. The Benue State Security Council moved against
him by declaring him wanted and placing a bounty of N10 million which
was later increased to N50 million on him.
The state security apparatus carried out several expeditions to his
enclave in a bid to arrest him, all to no avail. These efforts were
later complemented by the Federal Government which joined the manhunt
through, first “Operation Ayem A Kpatuma” and later “Operation
Whirlstroke”. All efforts to track and arrest him, however, proved
abortive. Meanwhile, police sources said he ran an organized and
sophisticated network of criminal activities in his chosen domain and
conducted affairs with an iron fist. Any challenge to his authority was
met with death.
Sources revealed that at Akwaza’s orders, whole communities were razed
down. His activities in five years between 2015 and 2020 led to the near
total collapse of socio-economic activities in that axis. He
strangulated the entire Sankera area which used to be the most
productive part of Benue State particularly in agriculture. It is this
geo-political axis that gave Benue State the status of Food Basket of
the Nation.
It was reported that Akwaza killed his victims with relish. He was
alleged to have buried people alive and gunned down many at the
slightest provocation. In this manner, several traditional rulers were
killed in cold blood including the District Head of Mbayongo, Chief Aloo
Alev, and his counterpart in Michihe, Chief Chiahemba Livinus Shom,in
Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. His last victim amongst traditional
rulers was Chief Awua Alabar, District Head of Kundav in Ukum Local
Government Area, who was killed in the presence of his family.
Killings galore
Outside this group, numerous others from various walks of life had
incurred his wrath. These included Mr. Igbana, Senior Special Assistant
to Governor Ortom on Special Security and Msugh Tyavyar alias Pastor
whose roles in the prosecution of the first amnesty programme he
considered a threat to his interest. Both were brutally gunned down by
people believed to be sent by Mr. Akwaza. Perhaps what many consider
incomprehensible and most dastardly was the abduction and murder of Mrs.
Esther Nguumbur Tur, wife of Justice Tine Tur of the Court of Appeal
and her companion, Mrs. Mbalamen Kpensuen Aminde, allegedly on the
orders of Mr. Akwaza, after collecting ransom and seizing the Hilux van
vehicle in which they were abducted. The Appeal Court Justice could not
survive the trauma of his wife’s murder. He died shortly afterwards.
Akwaza was at the centre of the crisis brewing between Benue and Taraba
border communities leading to the death of many and destruction of
property worth billions of naira on both sides. He was believed to be
the man behind most kidnappings in Taraba and Benue States. His Tiv
kinsmen suffered the consequences of his dastardly actions on many
occasions. A community leader in Makurdi told Saturday Vanguard that the
notion that Gana was defending Tiv people from Fulani attacks is one of
the most fictional stories of this decade. Our investigations do not
point to any instance when Akwaza put the interest of his people above
his quest for personal glory and wealth. He was known to be responsible
for cattle rustling in conspiracy with Fulani elements. He was never a
defender of Sankera people.
Extortion and illegal levies
“Mr Akwaza placed special levies on farmers, traders and prominent
people in his domain. Failure to pay meant death. He fought supremacy
gang wars with his former allies which visited devastation on several
communities in Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas. This state
of affairs prompted prominent indigenes of the geopolitical axis,
including political, religious and traditional leaders to request for a
2nd Amnesty programme especially since the military had failed to nab
him,” the leader who sought strict anonymity stated.
Second amnesty
On Friday, 4th September, 2020, Governor Ortom while on project
commissioning and inspection tour of the Sankera axis accepted the
request of the leaders. The governor gave an ultimatum for those who
wanted to embrace the 2nd Amnesty to surrender their weapons on Tuesday,
8th September to become beneficiaries of the programme. Before the
governor’s recent visit, major stakeholders from the Sankera area had
done painstaking work to persuade those with illegal weapons in their
custody to embrace the 2nd Amnesty programme by surrendering those
weapons. Such were the circumstances Mr. Akwaza found himself in the
second Amnesty programme.
Police sources said in company of religious leaders, he left his hideout
and presented himself at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium in
Katsina-Ala in full public glare to embrace the programme. The State
Security Council was holding a meeting at the New Banquet Hall of
Government House, Makurdi where the second Amnesty programme was to be
formalized. Selected traditional rulers, prominent indigenes and
security personnel took off with Mr. Akwaza and other potential
beneficiaries from the stadium to come and present them to the Council.
It was gathered that before he left his domain, he beckoned on leaders
of his foot soldiers and told them that he was suspecting foul play and
if eventually he failed to return, they should continue from where he
stopped. On their way to Makurdi, the military intercepted the convoy at
Masaje, close to Yandev in Gboko Local Government Area.
How he was killed
The soldiers reportedly pulled out the Katsina-Ala Local Government
Chairman, Alfred Orya Atera and his security detail, a former House of
Assembly member, Dr Ianna Jato, from the Chairman’s official vehicle in
which Mr Akwaza was being conveyed to Makurdi. The military took the
vehicle and Mr. Akwaza away. They also arrested close to a hundred other
potential Amnesty beneficiaries from Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local
government areas. Unconfirmed reports alleged that the military killed
some of the potential beneficiaries near Moji Farms after Tse-Kucha, and
later killed Mr Akwaza at another location in Nasarawa State.
News of this development filtered into the venue of the Expanded State
Security Council meeting as unconfirmed rumors. Reliable sources
revealed that most of those present, including Governor Ortom, Senator
Gabriel Suswam and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, were shocked.
This prompted the abrupt end of the meeting. Governor Ortom while
addressing journalists later stated that the convoy conveying Mr. Akwaza
and other potential Amnesty beneficiaries had been intercepted and that
Major General Adeyemi Yekini of Operation Whirlstroke had confirmed
this and promised to get back to him.
Statement from the Military
What came next was a statement from the Commander of the 4 Special
Forces based in Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Gazama Ali,
that Mr. Akwaza had been killed in a gunfight with the military, with
the picture of the wanted gangster at the back of the official vehicle
of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman. His death elicited mixed
reactions as many thought that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam,
traditional and religious leaders betrayed Mr. Akwaza. However, others
stated that the military, acting the script of the Fulani conquest
agenda, eliminated Gana to pave way for further unhindered attacks on
Benue communities.
Political pundits in opposing camps canvassed the opinion that the All
Progressives Congress (APC) may have used Mr. Akwaza in the 2019 general
elections and have decided to dump him on account of his insatiable
financial demands, hence they decided to use the federal government
controlled Army to eliminate him and put the blame on Governor Ortom.
Yet, many conversant with his criminal activities stated that it was the
law of karma or retributive justice that caught up with Mr. Akwaza.
They believe that the blood of his victims has cried out to God for
vengeance.
Investigations, however, revealed that Governor Ortom, Senator Suswam
and leaders from the Sankera axis did not reckon that the military would
eliminate Mr. Akwaza on the way to Makurdi. Findings show that the
leaders were not privy to the military operation and that the military
seized the opportunity to upturn a most prized security trophy that had
eluded them for years. It is reported that when the news of the
elimination of Mr. Akwaza filtered into the venue of the Security
meeting, Senator Suswam and leaders from Sankera were dumbfounded at the
turn of events. They felt that their people would conclude that they
had betrayed them and collaborated with the military to eliminate Mr.
Akwaza and the others.
Apprehension,fears over reprisal
Security sources told Saturday Vanguard that the danger therein is that
Gana had a large network and it is not possible to eliminate all his
gang members at the same time. This means that his death could spark
reprisals. A government house source stated unequivocally that “From the
first Amnesty programme, Governor Ortom had indicated clearly that he
was committed to the carrot approach especially when the military failed
to stop Gana. Usually a man of his word, he could not have broken his
word by arranging Gana’s elimination.”
However, the general feeling among people interviewed is that it
amounted to extra-judicial killing for the military to have executed Mr.
Akwaza and the others after they had surrendered. Such people consider
the statement by the military that Gana was killed in a gunfight as
untenable. Others stated that as at the time the military intercepted
Mr. Akwaza and his gang members, they were yet to be beneficiaries of
the Amnesty programme. Conclusively, the fear is that for Gana to be
extra-judiciary killed without recourse to civilized norms and global
best practices, a major crisis akin to Boko Haram menace may have been
ignited from Benue axis.
Read more at:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/ganas-last-words-to-his-gang-if-amnesty-is-a-ploy-to-kill-me-stay-in-the-forest-and-avenge-my-death-2/