Fresh facts on Wednesday emerged about how a wanted militia leader in Benue State, Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana, was killed by the military on Tuesday while on his way with his gang members to Makurdi, the state capital, to surrender to the state government.
A community leader, who pleaded anonymity, said Gana, who was riding in one of the vehicles in a government convoy to Makurdi, was dragged out by soldiers at a checkpoint in Gbitse, near Yandev roundabout in the Gboko Local Government Area of the state.
The militia leader was said to have been seating in the car in-between the Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Alfred Atera and a priest, when they were stopped by the soldiers, who dragged Gana out of the vehicle.
According to him, Gana was immediately thrown into a military vehicle and driven away.
Commander of Operation Ayem A Kpatuma, Major General Ali Gadzama, had on Tuesday said that Gana was killed during an exchange of gunfire with soldiers.
But it was gathered that the militia leader had between 11am and 2pm on Tuesday at the Katsina Ala Stadium in the presence of prominent indigenes of the Sankera District of the state, including the First Class Chief of the area, Abu Shuluwa, embraced amnesty.
Sankera zone consisting of Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum local government areas has been the worst had hit by the activities of Gana and his gang since 2009.
Gana and other militia leaders had in the state Government House in 2015 surrendered no fewer than 200 guns, including AK-47 riffles.
The peace move was, however, thwarted after the killing of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Denen Igbane, in 2016. Gana returned to the bush after the incident.
It was gathered that the latest peace efforts were initiated by some prominent indigenes, who urged the militia leader to drop arms and embrace peace.