Benue: Nigeria Military Breaks Silence On Soldiers Killing Gana

The Defence headquarters on Thursday refused to speak on the killing of a notorious militia leader in Benue State, Terwase Akwaza, also known as Gana, by the military.

It was gathered that the murder of the Wanted Benue Gang leader came after he surrendered for the amnesty programme in Katsina-Ala township stadium in Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue North senatorial zone on Tuesday, September 8.

Gana was in a convoy to participate in the amnesty programme of the Benue state government when he was reportedly dragged out of a car by soldiers at a checkpoint in Gbitse, near Yandev roundabout in the Gboko Local Government Area of the state.

He was allegedly captured by armed soldiers on his way to present himself to Governor Samuel Ortom.

The Commander of Operation Ayem AKpatuma, Maj. Gen. Ali Gadzama, claimed that Gana was killed in a gun battle with the soldiers.

Speaking on Thursday during the weekly briefing on military operations in Abuja, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said he would not take issues with Governor Ortom and other political leaders who had condemned the incident.

Enenche said he would not be drawn into any controversy on the extrajudicial killing of the gang leader.

He said, “I’m aware that the governor made a statement and one of the Senators there made a statement; it is not proper to join issues with the leaders.

“So if I comment now, you will now use it and join me as if I’m an umpire. Please, spare me that. If there was no reaction from there (Benue State), I could have answered you but my political masters have spoken and so, I’m not permitted by ethical standards to comment on what my superiors have spoken out,” he added.

Asked if Ortom’s statement on Gana’s death was true, Enenche claimed that he might be misquoted, insisting that his statements might be given strange colouration.