Benue Militant Leader Surrenders 84 Rifles to Government (Photo)

 

Terwase Akwaza, aka Ghana, who is regarded as a dreaded militant who boasts of an armed gang has submitted 84 guns to the Benue state government as part of the ongoing amnesty programme in the state. A statement by the state Governor Samuel Ortom after the State Executive Council meeting confirmed the action of Ghana which is an avenue for those illegally possessing weapons to surrender to the government.

 

Samuel Ortom also announced the extension of the amnesty programme to the end of the month of September. The governor stated that the extension of the amnesty window became necessary following a plea by the gang leader that he needed time to persuade some of his friends in the underworld to also surrender their weapons.

Ghana was quoted as saying he became a militant leader to secure his community, adding that he had decided to genuinely embrace the calls by Ortom for people in the state, holding illegal weapons, to surrender them and embrace peace.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Edwin Jando (rtd.), disclosed that he received “135 assorted rifles and 770 rounds of ammunition from those who voluntarily surrendered their weapons, with 84 rifles submitted by Akwaza”.

The governor expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku; the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Bishop Peter Adoboh, and others for their support for the amnesty programme.