Gana’s death: Ortom promised us N50m to get Terwase Akwaza – Army

The Nigerian Army is waiting for the payment of the N50 million bounty placed on wanted terrorist gang leader Terwase Akwaza (a.k.a Gana) by Benue Governor Samuel Ortom.

This came barely 72 hours after Akwaza was killed by troops during an operation by Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State.

A top source in the military, who spoke in confidence with The Nation, said the Army is waiting to see whether or not the governor will fulfill his promise.

The source said the fulfillment of the pledge will determine the extent of the backing from political authority for the military.

The source said: “Our Special Forces have eliminated a notorious criminal/terrorist gang leader, Terwase Agwaza, who has been terrorizing Benue State and environs for too long. He had been on the wanted list of security agencies.

“The Nigerian Army Special Forces Command in Doma Nasarawa State conducted a special operation that helped in destroying notorious camps of criminals and terrorists terrorizing Nigerians along Nasarawa and Kogi States recently.

“The fugitive criminal Gana has been on the wanted listed of security agencies for long. The Benue State governor in the year declared him wanted and placed a N10 million bounty on anyone who can lead to the arrest of Gana.

“Despite the ransom (bounty), Gana still remained elusive, forcing the state government to raise it to N50 million bounty for his arrest. Yet, he was elusive, not until he was gunned down by the Special Forces on 8 September, 2020.

“In the midst of this situation, the Nigerian Army deserves to be paid the N50 million ransom, having killed Gana. The assignment has been completed, the Army should be paid.

“It is not the cash that is important, but the need for political authority to set good precedent by giving backing to the military.

“It is a symbolic reward which the Nigerian Army is ready to take from the governor. It is time to walk the talk. We are already pushing for the bounty.”