Wanted militia kingpin: Benue jerks up bounty to N50m

The Benue State Security Council yesterday jerked up the bounty on the head of wanted militia kingpin, Terwase Akwaza, otherwise known as Ghana, from N10 million to N50 million.

On August 25, 2016, the Benue State government first announced N5 million on the suspected militia kingpin and by April 9, 2017, the money reward for information was reviewed to N10 million.

State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Lawrence Onoja Jnr, who disclosed the fresh development to newsmen in Makurdi shortly after the security council meeting, also said it was agreed that security operatives intensified their search to apprehend Ghana.

Ghana is being wanted on suspicion of cases of kidnapping, assassination and armed robbery.

The state government said that the N50 million reward for tips that would lead to the eventual arrest of the suspect was to show how seriously the administration wanted to put an end to the reign of the notorious militia currently holding three local government areas of KastinaAla, Logo and Ukum hostage.

Earlier yesterday, residents of Gboko panicked as soldiers took over major areas of the town while rumours spread that they (soldiers) were burning houses.

But, the Assistant Director Army Public Relations of 707 Special Forces Brigade Headquarters stationed in Makurdi, Major Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, said there was no need to panic as the Army was sent to the area to maintain peace.