Mixed feelings and reactions have continued to trail the killing of Benue State’s most wanted militia leader, Terwase Akwaza a.k.a Gana.
Gana was killed on Tuesday, by the Military after he was intercepted and picked up in Gboko local government area of the state while on his way to Government House in Makurdi, to receive a second armnesty from the state government.
While the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has expressed shock over the interception of a government convoy, arrest and killing of Gana by military authorities, Senator representing Benue North East, Senator Gabriel Suswam has described the killing as extra judicial saying he was dumbfounded.
Gov. Ortom who made his feelings known in Makurdi while briefing journalists on the state of the second amnesty programme, however said that he was still awaiting briefing from the Commander of Operation Ayem A Kpatuma from Doma in Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Gadzama Ali who promised he was coming to brief him on their operation.
The Governor stated that five repentant youths from Ukum Local Government Area who were among those arrested by the Nigerian Army were released and were conveyed to Government House Makurdi by the Council Chairman of Ukum, Mr. Stephen Ayua to be part of the amnesty offer.
The Governor explained that the amnesty programme was not truncated as those who could not make it to Makurdi due to the confusion created by the military operation would be given another chance.
He urged the people of Sankera to remain calm as he was still investigating circumstances surrounding the arrest and killing of Gana before taking action on the matter, stressing that he owes Benue people the duty to protect lives and property.
Gov. Orom had earlier addressed the 42 repentant youths and commended them for choosing to abandon their negative ways to open a new chapter in their lives.
Meanwhile, Senator representing Benue North East, Senator Gabriel Suswam has appealed to elders and leaders in the state to help douse tension created by the incident.
Senator Suswam in a statement he tagged, “A Time to Heal” stated that “At times of uncertainties and crisis, it is incumbent on statesmen to stand out and douse situations especially those that threaten the good order of society.”
He maintained that the role of elders at times like this is not to inflame passions or fan the embers of hate but to heal all wounds. “We are at such a critical juncture in our existence in Benue 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.
“It is no secret that my senatorial district has been traumatized and the people terrorized by activities of criminal gangs led by Mr. Terwase Agwaza alias Gana for many years.
“The consequences of this endless terrorism has been a steady decline of economic and social activities leaving a once prosperous people pauperized. 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, clergy men and elders of the area decided to utilize means of constructive engagement and dialogue to ensure that youths of the area do not become tools for the destruction of that society.”
Suswam further explained that “the Benue State Government along with the security agencies have long desired for a return to normalcy, peace, prosperity and security of the area.
“We have all been in agreement that the continuous existence and activities of gangs is an ill wind that blows no one any good. That is why some leaders were mandated to reach out to these outlaws to persuade them to drop their arms and channel their energies towards the rebuilding of our thoroughly battered community.
“We were all excited to see the dreaded Gana come out of hiding to the warm embrace of our traditional Rulers, Clergy 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 publicity renounce a life of crime. Our reverred King extracted a pledge from him never to turn his kingdom into a wasteland.
“Those present at this forum heaved a great sigh of relief with the thought that finally, a life full of uncertainty has come to an end.
“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 isolated and taken away.
“In the midst of the confusion, pictures began to circulate on social media of the bullet ridden body of Gana with a rifle callously placed on his side.”
The Senator said while he has been consistent in condemning the reign of terror he unleashed on his community, he 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.
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He said the lessons of the Boko Haram escalation after a similar murder of its leader are still here with us adding that “If this method is accepted as a norm in our country, there will be no need for laws and courts.
“We stand to benefit more by subjecting suspects to due process of the law. Information extracted from a living Gana would have helped security agents get to the root of activities of criminals. By this gestapo style execution, we have missed an opportunity to learn vital lessons about the structure of crime in the area.
“Even war criminals captured alive are entitled to certain rights. The claim that Gana was killed in a gunfight needs further explanation because those who accompanied him and who watched him being taken away, including his Local Government Chairman do not believe he was in possession of any arms.”
Suswam called for an independent judicial commission of inquiry to unravel facts of the matter to serve as lessons for the future.
He said that the event has escalated tensions in the area, pleading with all elders and community leaders to rein in their youth and avoid a deterioration of an already bad situation.
“This is a time to heal and not war. This is a time to hold each other to our common values as human beings. This is a time to rebuild our fractured society. This is a time to rally together as brothers and say Enough is Enough,” Suswam said.
