The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of Mr Terwase Akwaza, alias “Gana,” who is believed in several quarters to be the most wanted bandits leader in Benue State.

The Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa State, Maj. Gen. Moundhey Ali told journalists on Tuesday that Gana was killed along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi Road following an exchange of gunfire.

Ali said: “About 12:00 hours on Tuesday, we received strategic information on the movement of the dreaded bandit Terwase Akwaza Agbadu  a.k.a. Gana along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi Road.

“Troops of Operation ‘Ayem Akpatuma III’ moved swiftly and mounted roadblocks along the routes.

“At about 13:00 hours, there was an engagement with the convoy of Gana, a shoot out ensued and the bandit was killed.”

Even so, Gana, according to informed government sources, was on his way to Makurdi along with several members of his gang where they intended to surrender to the authorities and embrace an amnesty which had been brokered by the state government and some prominent traditional rulers in the state. It was on that journey that his convoy ran into a military checkpoint where he was killed by soldiers.

In 2015, Gana was offered an amnesty by the Benue State Government but he returned to his  criminal activities.

In 2017, the Nigeria Police declared Gana wanted after he was alleged to have killed several innocent persons. The Benue State Government, at the time, placed a N10 million naira bounty on him.