By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in a combined operations with Special Forces from Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states had raided the hideout of notorious and most wanted criminal gang leader ‘Gana’, killing two gang members.
The troops further destroyed the criminal gangs’ hideouts as well as recovering several arms and ammunitions.
Coordinator Defence Media Operations (DMO) ,Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. John Enenche disclosed this to Enugu Reporters on Sunday confirmed that the Benue kingpin Terwase Agwaza alias ‘Gana’ had narrowly escaped with gunshot wounds.
The operation which took place on Saturday, 16th May 2020 also stormed the camp of a dangerous militia group in Nasarawa state, the ‘Bassa Militia’ who had been terrorizing communities in the North Central zone of the country and apprehended seven members while capturing several assaulted rifles and ammunition.
According to Gen. Enenche, the operations was executed by the special operations comprised of troops of Whirl Stoke, Sector 2 deployed in Gbise and Zaki Biam in Benue State and Sector 4 from Taraba State.
His reports…….
“The troops 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.
“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 (1) dane gun, Two (2) revolver pistols,Two (2) Cartridge pistols, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition Two (2) Motorcycles, One (1) Camouflage shirt, One (1) generator set, One (1) bag of gun powder and assorted charms.
“Gana’s personal belongings, other items and thatched houses were destroyed.
“In another development, troops of Sector 3 deployed at Ondori in Doma LGA of Nasarawa State acted on credible intelligence that a group of Bassa armed militia were planning to attack some Tiv villages over land disputes.
“Troops raided their camp located at Kpelebewa village in Rukubi area of Doma LGA of Nasarawa State.
“Troops apprehended Seven (7) members of the Bassa militia dressed in Red shirts in the camp.
‘Items recovered include One (1) locally fabricated machine gun, Six (6) locally fabricated rifles, Two (2) locally fabricated cartridge guns, One (1) Dane gun, Two (2) revolver pistols, Two (2) Cartridge firing pistols, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 29 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 22 cartridges of ammunition.
“Other items are One (1) dagger, poisoned bows and arrows, desert Camouflage head gears and pouch, Six (6) phone handsets and some charms.
“The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation to be handed over to the Nigeria Police.
“The Military High Command congratulates the Troops and requests the general public to continue to provide the Armed Forces with credible information to facilitate its operations in the Country”. He added.
