Authorities in Benue have increased a bounty on the head of wanted militia kingpin Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Ghana, from N10 million to N50m.

The bounty is reward for anyone volunteering useful information to facilitate his arrest.

It is the second time the bounty on him has been raised, after an initial announcement of N5m bounty last August.

After a state security council meeting where the decision was taken, Benue information and orientation commissioner Lawrence Onoja Jnr, announced security operatives would intensify search to arrest Ghana.

Agents are also on order to arrest anyone caught with illegal arms.

“Benue State government is not sponsoring armed militia, the Livestock Special Guard, are not allow law to carry arms, so anyone or member of the Guard found carrying weapon should be arrested and prosecuted,” Onoja said.

Security operatives have been directed as well to arrest anyone who cover vehicle plate including government officials except traditional rulers who were given the grace to do so until the end of February when they may have obtained their vehicle official numbers. 

The security council has also banned sirens.

Earlier yesterday, residents of Gboko panicked as soldiers took over major areas of the town amid rumours soldiers were setting homes ablaze.

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

“We are aware of the incident. It is true that the Army has been sent to Gboko, but they are there to maintain peace and not to kill or burn houses. What happened was that when they got there, they went round  patrolling with about seven Hilux vehicles to register their presence and to scare away criminals and law breakers who will want to cause disturbance and havoc in the area. The Army is for all Nigerians and it is against our ethics and against the profession to just kill people or burn houses,” Ayeni said. 

Our correspondent reports that Ghana is wanted on suspicion of committing various crimes bordering on kidnapping, assassination of people and armed robbery.

The state government said that the N50 million reward for anyone who provides useful tips that would lead to the eventual arrest of the wanted suspect was to show how seriously the administration wants to put an end to the criminal reign of the notorious militia currently holding three local government areas of Kastina-Ala, Logo and Ukum hostage in Benue.

Source: Daily Trust