The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says wanted notorious criminal suspect, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana, escaped the arrest by Nigerian Army on Saturday.
A statement by the Coordinator of the defence media, John Enenche, said the Nigerian troop carried out a raid operation on the hideout of the wanted notorious criminal named ‘Gana’ in Mtan village in Utenge Council Ward of Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State on 16 May 2020.
Although Gana reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds, two of his gang members were apprehended, Enenche said.
“Two (2) of the gang members were neutralized and others fled with various degrees of gunshot wounds. Exploitation revealed that Gana narrowly escaped death with gunshot wounds.”
Items recovered include: One (1) locally fabricated machine gun, Six (6) locally made rifles, Two (2) locally fabricated cartridge guns, One dane gun, two revolver pistols, two Cartridge pistols.
Other items recovered include 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, two motorcycles, one camouflage shirt, one generator set, one bag of gun powder, and assorted charms.
Mr Enenche added that Gana’s personal belongings, other items and thatched houses were destroyed by the soldiers.
TROOPS OF OPERATION WHIRL STROKE NEUTRALIZE SOME GANA LED CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IN BENUE STATE AND ARREST BASSA MILITIA MEMBERS IN NASARAWA STATE.
In a special operation, a combined team of Operation WHIRL STROKE Special Forces troops of Sector 2 deployed in pic.twitter.com/nP1F2YhyJM
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) May 17, 2020
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In another development, the DHQ spokesman revealed that troops of Sector 3 deployed at Ondori in Doma LGA of Nasarawa State raided the camp of a group of Bassa armed militia and arrested seven members.
According to him, the seven members of the Bassa militia, dressed in red shirts, were arrested in the camp while planning to attack some Tiv villages over land disputes.
Enenche said the soldiers recovered some weapons from the camp while the suspects were being interrogated and would be handed over to the police thereafter.
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