Gana

Terwase Akwaza a tiv man from Benue State, commonly known as Gana or Ghana (approximately born in the 1970s – September 8, 2020), gained notoriety as a notorious criminal and leader of a militia group in Benue State, Nigeria. His criminal activities were most pronounced from 2015 to 2020. Some have likened him to the legendary outlaw Robin Hood.

Gana’s reign of terror was focused on the Sankera geopolitical axis, encompassing the local government areas of Katsina Ala, Ukum, and Logo. Over the course of more than a decade, he struck fear into the hearts of the local population. Locals believed he possessed mystical powers, capable of vanishing and reappearing at will, and his very name sent shivers down their spines.

Although reviled for his numerous crimes, Gana strategically presented himself as a defender of the Tiv people against external threats. In his own village, Gbeji, he was viewed favorably for providing basic amenities to the residents. However, his criminal activities included massacres, kidnappings, assassinations, robberies, cattle rustling, terrorism, and murders. He extorted money from farmers, traders, and influential individuals, and those who resisted often met a deadly fate. His power struggles with former associates wreaked havoc on numerous communities.

A substantial bounty of 50 million naira was placed on Gana’s head, and both the Nigerian Police and the military conducted covert operations, air and ground offensives in an attempt to capture or eliminate him. Despite these efforts, Gana was ultimately killed by the Nigerian Army after he surrendered himself for amnesty on September 8, 2020.

Early life

Terwase, whose name translates to ‘God help,’ was born in the village of Gbishe, Kpav District, Katsina-Ala local government area in Benue State. Unfortunately, he experienced the loss of his parents at a very early age. His father, a renowned herbalist, was believed to have passed on supernatural abilities to him, making him a figure associated with magical powers.

There are differing beliefs about the source of his supernatural powers. Some suggest that these powers were linked to a shrine located atop a rock on the outskirts of his village, Gbishe. Alternatively, others claim that his powers stemmed from a dark ritual in which he was rumored to have sacrificed and buried his own 12-year-old daughter.

Terwase’s involvement in a life of crime began when he was between the ages of 10 and 12. At this young age, he engaged in stealing poultry products from his neighborhood, often concealing his loot inside the iconic Nigerian “Ghana Must Go” bag. This behavior earned him the nickname ‘Gana’ among the local residents. Over time, his reputation as a thief grew, and he escalated his criminal activities to include ambushing traders returning home on market days.

Later on, Gana joined a militia group dedicated to defending his community against regular attacks from Fulani herdsmen and Jukun militia. His bravery and contributions during these conflicts earned him admiration from both his fellow villagers and local chiefs. Some even believed that, due to his numerous successes, witch doctors from his village decided to enhance his protection with fetish powers, rendering him impervious to weapons and bullets, and enabling him to seemingly vanish at will.

Gana was known for his polygamous lifestyle, having more than 30 wives. An interesting anecdote shared by his 33rd wife, Queen, was that any woman he touched eventually became one of his wives. In Queen’s case, she mentioned that Gana touched her buttocks, and she willingly followed him to become one of his wives.

First amnesty

On August 31, 2015, a significant turning point occurred when Gana made his first public appearance to embrace the amnesty program extended by Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State, aimed at accommodating criminals within the state. During this event, he led his gang of approximately 500 men to surrender to the amnesty program, and as part of this surrender, they handed over a total of 84 rifles.

Following his surrender, Gana received a surprising appointment as the chairman of the Joint Task Force on Revenue Collection in the state. Additionally, he was provided with a security detail composed of personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Notably, his company, Ghatertex Nigeria Limited, was granted a contract for the collection of Produce Tax. Under this arrangement, he remitted 10 million naira monthly to the state government while retaining the remainder to cover running costs and provide for his associates.

Unfortunately, Gana’s newfound freedom was short-lived. He faced serious allegations, including the murder of Denen Igbana, the Senior Special Assistant on Special Security to Governor Ortom, on May 20, 2016. In response to these accusations, he declined the police’s invitation for interrogation and went into hiding. Consequently, the state government revoked the amnesty previously granted to him and terminated his appointments as chairman of the Joint Task Force on Revenue Collection. Furthermore, the contract awarded to his company, Ghatertex, was also canceled.

The organized search for Gana commenced when he refused to cooperate with authorities and turn himself in for questioning regarding allegations of involvement in the murder of Denen Igbana, who served as the Senior Special Assistant on Special Security to the Governor of Benue State. In response to his non-cooperation, the state government revoked his amnesty and initially offered a bounty of 10 million naira for information leading to his capture, which was later raised to 50 million naira.

Over a span of four years, an extensive manhunt was conducted, involving covert operations, as well as air and ground raids by both the Nigeria Police and the military, all aimed at locating and apprehending or neutralizing him. Despite these concerted efforts, the military’s special operations, specifically “Operation Ayem A Kpatuma” and “Operation Whirlstroke,” were unsuccessful in their attempts to track him down.

Interview with Channels TV

During his period in hiding, Gana engaged in an exclusive interview with Charles Eruka, a journalist representing Channels TV. Additionally, he composed a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), both of which contained noteworthy revelations and allegations.

In the exclusive Channels TV interview, Gana openly discussed his involvement in various criminal activities and made serious accusations against prominent government figures within the Benue state government. He insinuated their potential involvement in criminal activities within the state.

Gana divulged that he had received training from Fulani herdsmen in countries such as Niger, Sudan, and Cameroon. He revealed that he and his gang had served as mercenaries for the Fulani herdsmen in different conflicts across Nigeria. He went on to claim that the Fulani herdsmen had devised plans to gain control over Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, and Taraba states. According to Gana, he was approached to lead the Taraba axis of their invasion. However, he turned down their offer of 350 million naira, even after reducing his initial asking price from one billion naira to 750 million naira. His refusal was grounded in the belief that the offered amount would not suffice to influence the military presence in Taraba state, necessary for ensuring a successful operation.

Gana vehemently denied any involvement in the murder of Denen Igbana, the Senior Special Assistant on Special Security to Governor Ortom. Instead, he pointed fingers at Igbana, accusing him of orchestrating kidnappings in the state. Gana cited specific incidents, such as one in Gboko and another involving the wife of a prominent Igbo businessman in Makurdi, known as Officon. According to Gana, ransom payments in the case of Officon’s wife were allegedly directed to Igbana, leading to disputes over the division of proceeds between Igbana and his associates. Gana further claimed that he had cooperated with law enforcement authorities to apprehend the culprits in both kidnapping cases, only for the police to release the suspects under Igbana’s orders.

Gana also expressed his deep-seated distrust of the police’s impartiality in handling his case, which served as a primary reason for his decision to go into hiding, as outlined in a letter dated June 30, 2016, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

Moreover, Gana leveled serious allegations against Edwin Jando, a retired colonel from the Nigerian Army who held the position of Special Adviser to the Benue State governor on Security. Gana accused Jando of engaging in gunrunning activities and serving as a source of ammunition for his criminal operations.

These revelations, shared during the interview and through the NHRC letter, were pivotal in shedding light on Gana’s perspective and the allegations he made against government officials, further adding complexity to the narrative surrounding his actions and motivations.

Second amnesty

Gana’s return to his criminal activities proved to be more destructive than ever before. Despite extensive efforts, including air and ground raids conducted by the military, police, and State Security Service, he managed to evade capture and continued to operate with impunity.

The dire situation caused a significant impact on economic activities within the affected geopolitical axis, leading prominent individuals, politicians, religious leaders, and traditional leaders to appeal for a second amnesty. This request was granted by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, during a project commissioning and inspection visit on September 4, 2020. The governor set September 8, 2020, as the official day for the amnesty program.

In a surprising turn of events, Gana, accompanied by some of his associates, voluntarily appeared for the amnesty program at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala, in full view of the public. Traditional rulers and public figures received him, and together they embarked on a journey to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, where a meeting of the State Security Council was scheduled to formalize the amnesty process.

However, while en route, the military intercepted their convoy near Masaje, close to Yandev in Gboko local government. It was at this point that Gana met his end, as he was killed during the operation.

Crimes Gana involved in

Gana’s reputation was marked by ruthless and cruel actions. Under his orders, communities were forcibly displaced and often reduced to ruins. Any perceived challenge to his undisputed authority in the criminal underworld invariably resulted in death. His criminal network displayed a high degree of sophistication and organization, allowing him to consistently elude security forces. This disruption of socio-economic activities was particularly pronounced in the Sankera area.

Tragically, Gana was known to commit heinous acts, including the live burial and killing of individuals at the slightest provocation. Chillingly, his 33rd wife, Queen, disclosed that he had even taken the life of their own daughter and buried her in a shallow grave.

Among his victims were notable figures such as the District Head of Mbayongo, Chief Aloo Alev, and his counterpart in Michihe, Chief Chiahemba Livinus Shom, both in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. Additionally, Chief Awua Alabar, the District Head of Kundav in Ukum Local Government Area, met a tragic end when he was gunned down in front of his family.

One particularly harrowing incident involved the abduction and murder of the wife of Justice Tine Tur from the Court of Appeal, Esther Nguumbur Tur, along with her companion, Mbalamen Kpensuen Aminde. These two innocent individuals lost their lives following the payment of a ransom. Tragically, the Hilux pickup in which they were abducted was never recovered, and the trauma of his wife’s murder took a toll on Justice Tine Tur, ultimately leading to his untimely death shortly thereafter.

On March 20, 2017, Gana and his gang launched a raid on Zaki Biam, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 17 lives.

Philanthropy

In his village, Gana undertook philanthropic endeavors that left a lasting impact. He established a clinic and a science secondary school, both of which bore his name as a testament to his contributions to education and healthcare in the community. Furthermore, Gana extended his generosity by offering scholarships to numerous individuals. Many of these scholarship recipients have since graduated and embarked on successful journeys.

Additionally, he provided valuable resources to members of his community, distributing items such as motorbikes, cars, grinding machines, and business capital to support the livelihoods and entrepreneurial aspirations of local residents.

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