Gang member of a notorious criminal in Benue, Mr. Terwase Akwaza responsible for the killing of Senior Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Special Security, Mr. Denen Igbana, has been arrested by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).
Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj.- Gen Adeyemi Yekini, who briefed newsmen at Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, after clearance operation conducted by the troops last week in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states, said the culprit was arrested by the troops of 93 Battalion in Taraba and has already confessed to the killing of the governor’s security aide who was murdered on Friday 20th of May, 2016.
He said operations code-named Operation Dark Down and Operation Deadly Strike, supported by Mi35 Helicopter from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other surveillance aircrafts, took place mostly around the lower Benue axis and Katsina-Ala, notorious for killing of innocent civilians in the past.
According to him, on Saturday, June 16, OPWS in conjunction with 72 and 93 Battalion soldiers attacked and bombarded the camp of notorious militia leader, Mr Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as ‘Gana’ at Ayaka, in Katsina-Ala, Benue state and recovered weapons, amongst otherthings.
“Prior to the attack, NAF Mi35 gunship helicopter carried out aerial bombardment of the camp which led to the dislodgement of Gana and his armed men.
“On the ensuing melee, own troops recovered some personal effects of Gana suggesting he was in the camp as at the time of the attack.
“Notably two members of the gang were captured while another member was arrested by the troops of 93 Battalion towards Taraba state. The third gang member arrested in Taraba has already confessed to killing the former Security Assistant to Governor Ortom.
“Following an armed reconnaissance by OPWS conducted earlier using Mi35 helicopters at camp Ayaka, some men were sighted loitering around the destroyed camp and promptly the air component of the OPWS deployed the Mi35 which attacked and neutralised the men,” he added.
He said spirited and indefatigable efforts were ongoing to ascertain the current status and whereabouts of the notorious criminal, Gana.
He further said in an earlier operation carried out Thursday, troops engaged herdsmen who fled using cows as shield, noting that some of thecows were killed while some of the herdsmen escaped in the bush withbullet wounds.
“Troops crossed from Benue into Nasarawa state and proceeded to Okungbo, where they conducted a search, including arrest of 4 suspects, recovery of 7 locally manufactured riffles and revolvers which weremade to fire 7.62mm special ammunition,” he stated.
