Disquiet in Katsina-Ala over Gana’s execution

Uneasy calm and disquiet enveloped Katsina-Ala Wednesday following the execution of Benue most wanted criminal, Mr Terwase Akwaza, also known as Gana.

Akwaza was Tuesday afternoon forcefully taken away by a team of military men at Maseje, near Ameladu in Gboko local government area of the state and killed, while he and other repentant youths were on their way to Makurdi where they were to be given amnesty by the State Security Council.

According to sources from the area, some residents particularly in Katsina Ala, home town of the late wanted militia leader have started parking their wares out of town for fear of possible attacks by youths loyal to the late gang leader.

The sources said some boys loyal to the deceased had already started making threat calls against some persons who allegedly lured them into the amnesty programme which resulted to the killing of Mr. Akwaza.

A resident of the area who pleaded anonymity said, “My fear is what will happen in our area after the death of Gana.”

“Most of the boys are thinking that the whole amnesty programme arrangement was a set up.

“It’s their belief that Gana wouldn’t have been killed if he was not brought out for the amnesty programme.”

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state Wednesday expressed shock at the killing of Gana by soldiers after he had denounced crime and was on his way to Makurdi to be granted amnesty.

But briefing newsmen Wednesdays at the government House Makurdi governor Ortom noted that even during war if people surrendered, they were protected and the case of Gana was not supposed to be different.

“The amnesty programme which was to take effect yesterday (Tuesday) 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.

“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.

“The army also took away 25 of the repentant youths but today (Wednesday), five of them were brought back and they had to join the 42 that I have already granted amnesty,” he added.

 A People’s Democratic Party PDP chieftain in Katsina-Ala who spoke with Blueprint on condition of anonymity said, “I don’t think I will step my foot in that area again. “I know what those boys can do and I am afraid they will not spare any of us.”

“When I got the news of the killing of Gana, I immediately called home and made arrangements for my family to come down to Makurdi. “Right now the situation is dicey and I don’t know what will happen next.”

 In a reaction, Chairman Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam (PDP Benue North East) condemned the killing of repentant militia leader in a statement issued in Abuja Wednesday, Terwase’s  killing after turning a new leaf  from crime and criminality by soldiers was counter-productive to  peace already returning to the state.

 “The events of September 8, 2020 in my senatorial district where repentant criminals who had surrendered after extensive persuasions were singled out and killed extra- judicially leaves a sour taste and has opened a gaping wound that requires all efforts to heal,” he said. 

About John Shiaondo, Makurdi and Taiye Odewale, Abuja

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