CRIME
Gana: Military Yet to Brief Me – Ortom
From Vincent Nyinongu, Makurdi.
The Nigeria Army has confirmed the killing of Mr. Terwase Akwaza, alias “Gana,” said to be the ‘most wanted militia kingpin’ in Benue state.
The Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa state, Maj. Gen. Moundhey Ali, confirmed this to newsmen late on Tuesday.
He said that Gana was killed at a roadblock mounted by the Army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road following exchange of gunfire.
DAILY ASSET had reported earlier that Military had intercepted and arrested the notorious Kingpin, on his way to Makurdi to receive a second amnesty from state government.
Leaders of Ukum, Katsina Ala and Logo local government areas, after a meeting recently, had pleaded with state government to grant second amnesty to their repented armed youths to which the Governor Samuel Ortom agreed.
Gana and over 180 other youths were on their way to Government House in Makurdi with leaders from that axis including traditional rulers, clergymen as well as politicians when they were accosted at Yandev.
Gana, had been on the wanted list of security operatives after he was fingered in various criminal acts including the murder of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Special Security, Denen Igbana.
He was also alleged to be behind the various criminal acts in the the Federal constituency also known as Sankara areas of the state.
A bounty of N5 million was earlier promised anyone who could give information that would lead to Gana’s arrest in 2018. The ransom was later upped to N10 million and then N50 million.
Benue state government had in 2016 granted amnesty to over 500 persons including Gana, who were terrorising parts of Benue and Taraba states, but most of them relapsed into criminality.
Gana was later in 2017, declared wanted by the Police.
Speaking on the incident, Ali 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.”
The Commander also said that 40 armed members of Gana’s gang were captured during the operation.
He said the captured gang members were in Army custody and would be handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution.
Ali also disclosed that several rifles, pump action guns, ammunition, charms and explosives among other items were recovered from the gang.
He said Gana’s corpse had been deposited in an undisclosed hospital mortuary.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom had said he was yet to receive official brief from the military concerning the death of Terwase Akwaza.
On whether the action of the military could be termed extra-judicial killing hence the armed man had already surrendered and was coming to Makurdi to be granted amnesty, the Governor said until he is briefed accordingly then he would know the next line of action to be taken.
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
CRIME
AAUA Student Found Dead after church Vigil
A Student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Modupe Ayandare, was found dead on Monday after attending a church vigil.
The death of Ayandare, who is of the Department of Agronomy, was made known by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
“We express in strong terms our dissatisfaction and agony with respect to the death of one of our students, Miss Modupe Ayandare of the Department of Agronomy.
“According to report, the deceased was said to have committed suicide in the early hours of today at about 4:00am after she returned from a vigil in her church.
“The incident happened beside the church she attended, around Spotless Villa.
“The law enforcement agency has been informed already, and all hands are on deck to get to the root of the situation.
“Be assured that justice will be served and the law enforcement agency will undertake thorough investigation,” Mr Emmanuel Olaogbebikan, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the SUG, stated.
He asked anybody with useful information regarding the incident to give to the concerned authorities to come forward.
Also mourning the death of the student, the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), AAUA Chapter, said the loss deeply affected the department.
Faith Igba, the PRO of the department, said the demise of Ayandare was a profound loss to the department.
Igba urged the members of the department to come together and be of help to one another, asking those going through challenges to seek help.
“During this difficult time, we urge everyone to come together in support of each other. The mental well-being of our members is of utmost importance, and we encourage anyone who may be struggling to seek help.
“Our faculty offers counselling services, and we are here to support you in any way we can.
“Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Comrade Modupe’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Let us honour her memory by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment for all,” he said.
Speaking on the death of Ayandare, Victor Akinpelumi, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, said that the institution had confirmed the incident but was yet to know the cause of the death.
Akinpelumi, who sympathised with the family of the deceased, said that the institution would make an official statement known to the public as regards the death later.