Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary to the governor of Benue State, has revealed that some of the bandit organisations currently causing trouble in the state are descended from the gangs of the late militia leader Terwase Akwaza, better known as Gana. In an interview with TVC News, Kula blamed the aftermath of Gana’s killing for the return of violence in the Sankera axis of the state.
“There was a time when you have a kingpin in that area called Gana,” Kula explained. “Gana was later killed by security forces. When he was killed, some of his commanders scattered for safety. When they scattered, they now formed their own bandit group.”
For years leading up to his death in 2020, security authorities had Gana on their wanted list because of his reputation as the most notorious militia leader in Benue State. On the Sankera axis, which included the LGAs of Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo, he maintained control over a complex network of armed operators. A power vacuum and fracture among Gana’s lieutenants ensued after his death, Kula said.
Many did not flee but instead consolidated into smaller, more lethal groups; these are now among those responsible for the violent attacks on towns and villages around the state. The continued terror campaign was bemoaned by the Chief Press Secretary, who called for a stronger military response to break up the rebel organisations and bring peace to the area.
“These elements are now emboldened and operate with impunity,”
He cautioned that their actions may further destabilise rural areas of the state and exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe unless they were immediately contained. To combat the increasing threat, the Benue State Government has maintained its call for a permanent federal security deployment.
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