Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has condemned the killing of a repentant militia leader in in the state, Terwase Agwaza, also known as Gana, by men of the Nigerian Army.
Suswam, who represents Benue North East in the Senate, said Terwase’s killing after turning a new leaf from crime and criminality by soldiers was counter-productive to peace already returning to the state.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, he said the killing of Terwase endangers the healing process in the state.
“A situation where a criminal has surrendered for a new way of life after persuasion from elders and leaders in the community and later killed by some state actors endangers the healing process as this is time to heal and not to kill,” said Suswam who is the Chairman of Senate Committee on Power.
The statement further reads, “The events of September 8, 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.
“It is no secret that my senatorial district has been traumatised and the people terrorised by activities of criminal gangs led by Mr Terwase Agwaza, alias Gana, for many years.
“The consequence of this endless terrorism has been a steady decline of economic and social activities leaving a once prosperous people pauperised.
“Markets no longer attract traders, schools are closed and farmlands abandoned. Politics in the area has become war with an uncontrolled proliferation of dangerous weapons.
“No responsible leader will idly standby and watch his community become a theatre of war and a gangster’s paradise.
“It is with this solution mindset that traditional rulers, clergymen and elders of the area decided to utilise means of constructive engagement and dialogue to ensure that the youth of the area do not become tools for the destruction of that society.
“The Benue Government along with the security agencies have long desired for a return to normalcy, peace, prosperity and security of the area.
“We were all excited to see the dreaded Gana come out of hiding to the warm embrace of our Traditional Rulers, Clerrics and political leaders at a public function at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina Ala.
“Our joy was multiplied when we saw him along with his militia surrender arms and publicly renounce a life of crime. Our revered King extracted a pledge from him never to turn his kingdom into a wasteland.”
Suswam further said that “I was totally dumbfounded to learn that while Gana was on his way to Makurdi the state capital to present himself to the state governor who was waiting, his long convoy that included political leaders, traditional rulers, clergy men and security agencies was ambushed by allegedly armed soldiers and he was isolated and taken away.
“I have been consistent in condemning the reign of terror he unleashed on his community.
“I cannot in good conscience as a lawyer of over three decades and a senior parliamentarian accept cold blooded extra-judicial murder of an unarmed person as a solution to our security problems.
“An independent judicial commission of inquiry will unravel facts of the matter to serve as lessons for the future.”
The Nigeria Army had on Tiesday confirmed the killing of Terwase Akwaza in Benue State.
The Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Ali, told newsmen that Gana was killed at a roadblock mounted by the Army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi Road following exchange of gunfire.
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 shootout 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.
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