There were jubilation in several parts of Benue State following the reported killing of Terwase Akwaza alias Gana.
Gana who terrorised several communities in Benue State was reported to have been killed by soldiers on Tuesday, September 8, three years after Governor Samuel Ortom-led government placed a N10 million bounty on information that could lead to his arrest and capture.
Commander of the Four Special Forces Command of the Nigerian Army in Doma local government area of Nasarawa state, Brigadier-General Maude Ali Gadzama, who confirmed the killing said :there was an engagement with the convoy of Gana, a shoot out ensued and the bandit was killed.”
Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom further explained that Gana was killed during a crossfire with the Nigerian Army and was awaiting full briefing by the head of the military operations .
The crime kingpin has been declared wanted for over three years.
Newsmen in parts of Benue affected by the criminal activities of Gana reported that many have been jubilating since it was announced that that the criminal kingpin has been killed.
There were reports of wild jubilation in Ukum, Logo, Gboko, Tarka and Makurdi among other places immediately news of his naturalisation went round.
Gana’s criminal activities had affected virtually all sectors of the economy in Benue including farming and agriculture, road transportation, trading, and general night life.
He had in 2015, flouted an earlier amnesty condition given him by the Benue state government after he surrendered arms only for him to withdraw to his hideouts from where he resumed his attacks on communities.
Gana is believed to be behind the security problems in Benue state for several years engaging in allaged kidnapping, armed robbery, assassinations, gun running and other criminal activities
He admitted in a television interview at a time, that he colluded with rampaging herdsmen to organise attacks on communities.
Many Benue communities have suffered from such attacks often described as farmers/ herders clash.
He was quoted as saying that he turned down an offer running into millions of naira because the attackers could not raise the amount he demanded.
Residents of Zaki- Biam say they can now live their normal lives without fear of being attacked by armed men as they are now sure that the man behind most of the attacks has been silenced.
A trader at the Zaki- Biam yam market, George Terver, said he received the news with gladness because he always travels on the Zaki-Biam – Gboko- Makurdi road with goods and cash after sales .
“Whenever we are travelling to Jalingo, Makurdi and other places, we use to fear a lot because some of these people can attack on the road and one can lose his all property,” he said.
He commended the security agencies for their prompt intervention which is yielding results.
A farmer in Adikpo, Kwande LGA , who gave his name as Mbayoon Terhide , said Gana has succeeded in creating fear among residents just because of his selfish desire.
