Benue State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, explains
to JOHN CHARLES efforts being
made by the various security agencies to restore peace in Benue
State after the recent killings by Fulani herdsmen and to arrest
the state terror kingpin, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as
Gana.
What is the update on a suspected terror kingpin,
Terwas Akwaza, aka Gana, who was declared wanted for criminal
activities in the state?
The search for this notorious criminal has been ongoing for a
long time. Before now, a special team was deployed in this state.
The team was led by the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State,
when he was CP, Mobile Force and they are doing everything possible
to apprehend Gana and his criminal gang members. The IG has
directed that we should renew efforts and with the deployment of
the technical and intelligence aspect of the police by the
IG, our efforts will yield positive results. With the
situation on the ground, we discovered that without credible
intelligence, it would be difficult to arrest such a criminal. I
want to assure Nigerians that with the new vigour in pursuing this
criminal, within the shortest possible time and with facilities the
police have deployed in this operation, Gana’s days are numbered.
The IG is determined to ensure that the notorious criminal is
brought to book. Anywhere he is, he should know that his days are
numbered. He cannot hide forever. We are determined to arrest all
his lieutenants anywhere they are. We are doing this in conjunction
with our counterpart in the (Department of) State Services and
where personnel are required, we will deploy them. It is just a
matter of time; soonest, we will get them so that the state will be
able to have peace. You are aware that the state governor had also
increased the bounty placed on him to N50m. We also use this
opportunity to tell members of the public to volunteer useful
information that could assist us to apprehend the criminals.
But Gana’s wife has been arrested. Didn’t she
provide useful information that could lead to his
arrest?
I will not say more than I have told you. This is an operation;
an assignment that requires secrecy to cover the operation and we
do not want to jeopardise our efforts.
Are you saying the crisis along that Katsina Ala
area is caused by this suspected terrorist?
The crisis within the Katsina Ala axis has nothing to do with
herdsmen and farmers clashes; it is just communal clashes and it
has historical background. It is between the people of the Ukum
Local Government Area and the Tishile people in the Katsian Ala
Local Government Area. The notorious criminal is from that area,
and there have been indications that sometimes, the two warring
communities employ some members of Gana’s gang to prosecute the
communal clashes. It is a finding that is more or less the
groundwork. You know these people have been together before they
split into factions with some elements supporting Gana while some
are against. However, we are putting a check to this and the
governor and some leaders from the affected areas are complementing
the efforts of the police. The criminality that is taking place in
that axis requires the partnership of governmental and
non-governmental bodies to tackle effectively.
Don’t you think that some people are protecting Gana
and shielding him from arrest?
Nobody can frustrate the arrest of criminals. Security
institutions are upping in their game as I said earlier. With the
application of technology, there is no way he can escape arrest,
though there could be conspiracy of silence. However, there is no
conspiracy that the application of technology will not frustrate.
That is why we are very sure that all efforts that have been put in
place will soon yield results.
A first-class monarch in this state has alleged that
the police are under instruction to protect the Fulani militias
against arrest. What is your reaction to this?
That is very sad. Not just sad, but I know that no revered
monarch in this state will say that. Maybe some people are
making those statements disguising as monarchs. What I know is that
all the revered monarchs in this state have acknowledged that the
police and other security agencies are doing their best to put an
end to security challenges. They will not come out to say that the
police are under instruction to protect Fulani. That will be very
sad, given the losses the Nigeria police have suffered.
What the Nigeria police deserve now is encouragement because the
police personnel, who are not indigenes, are in the state to serve
their fatherland. Many of them have been hacked down in the crisis.
It will be unfortunate for anyone to say that the police are under
instruction to protect one side or the other. Our obligation to the
people of this country is to discharge our statutory duties of
protecting lives and properties and pronto, that is exactly what we
have been doing without bias to any political, tribal or religious
leaning. We must also emphasise that the police have remained the
major organisation that has contributed to the unity of this
country. The IG has supported every effort in bringing an end to
this crisis; a Deputy IG has been on the ground, except if people
wouldn’t say the truth. For the past two weeks, we have seen a
drastic reduction in the hostilities and that is something people
of this state should commend.
I will repeat it: It is very sad and unfortunate. Anyone that
makes such insinuation must be an agent of conflict in the state,
what we need is for every stakeholder to partner with the police
and other security agencies to ensure that we are able to get those
causing crisis in the state. As I speak to you, I can roll
out the areas we have covered. We have interacted with various
IDPs. We have placed security in the areas in order to give them
assurance. If you go round to some of these places, some of the
displaced persons have come back fully, some partially. The ones I
said returned partially are the ones who would go to their
communities during the day but in the evening, you will see them in
the camps, maybe, for shelter or for food. What we should be
thinking of now is how to rebuild, because if we do not rebuild
those communities, even if you have 100 per cent security there,
people will still be going in and out of the IDP camps.
Since you have been around, especially in the heat
of this crisis, was there any time you felt
overwhelmed?
There is no challenge here that is insurmountable. There was a
commissioner of police here before I came that did his best. The IG
was here and there was also a deputy commissioner of police in
charge of operation that has been operating in this state. We have
not come to face any challenge, neither are we overwhelmed. I am
only contributing my own little quota to what my seniors, the IG,
the DIG and other supporting officers, have done. I have a
commissioner of police from the mobile (unit) here. The IG has
strengthened us enough to arrest the situation.
Let me thank the IG for this support and the priority he has
given to this operation. The reality on the ground as of today is
that the state is relatively calm.
Why are killings still going on in the state despite
the deployment of security operatives?
There is no ongoing killing in the state at the moment. All of
the security apparatus have been up and doing and I want to inform
you that we has recorded a serious reduction in the crisis.
With all the efforts claimed so far, how many Fulani
militia have been arrested?
When you talk of guerrilla warfare and organised crimes, it is
not within the twinkle of an eye that you arrest. We told you
before that when the attacks started, 11 persons were arrested in
connection with the crisis. The trial is ongoing. Also, about 126
persons were arrested over the disturbance in Gboko. Also, we have
32 persons facing trial against the anti-open grazing law. Within
the past one week, a lot of arrests have been made. Concerning the
crisis in Gboko, we have arrested one of the principal actors in
that case; that was done yesterday (Monday). The technical aspect
of police was able to get him; that was in addition to 10 other
persons who were arrested last week who have been presented as
principal actors in the killing of seven persons in Gboko. In
addition to that, we have in the kitty four suspects who were
actively involved in the attacks that took place in Logo and Guma,
including the ones that attacked the police, but investigation is
still ongoing. However, in order not to jeopardise our
investigation, evidence has confirmed that the four persons were
actively involved; even one of them is probably the armourer of the
militia group. We are expanding our investigation so that we will
be able to get more clues that could lead to the arrest of others
who are involved. As soon as we gather all our findings together,
the people will be prosecuted.
Part of what the IG was committed to doing is in furtherance of
the directive of Mr. President that the people must be arrested to
ensure that justice is given. It is when you ensure justice that
you will put an end to all acts of impunity because if you look at
what happened, it has a political background to it. With the
efforts of finding a lasting solution into this and the
support of the IG, you can rest assured that in no time, more and
more people who were involved would be arrested. One of them in the
incident in Logo, where some policemen were attacked, has
been arrested and his AK-47 was also recovered, including the
arrest of a mole who happens to be a native that gives information
to these militiamen .You will see that a lot has been
achieved, but confidently, I can tell you that we have gained a lot
of ground. This is with the support of the IG and the guidance of
the DIG on the ground and the support of the state governor who has
also said he wants an end to this crisis. We also held
stakeholders’ meetings both in Makurdi and in Laafia with the
Myetti Allah people, local government chairmen and other
stakeholders. From those meetings, we had intelligence report,
particularly about the communities that border Benue and Nasarawa,
that the militia may use Kadarko in Nasarawa to enter Benue and we
took it upon ourselves to go to the areas in Nasarawa to inform
them not to make the mistakes but to know that Benue State has this
law. All these are the gains from interactions and partnership with
the people. Where the action of security people is required, we
have not hesitated to deploy it in accordance with the law.
Are foreigners among the suspects so far arrested by
your men based on an earlier report by the DSS that foreigners from
some West African countries are part of those responsible for the
killings in this part of the country?
Well, you know that it is always difficult to know who is a
foreigner in this country. Remember that there was a time in the
UK, if you arrest 10 persons, almost nine were Nigerians because we
are like the rallying point for the entire Africa. This can only be
done when someone admits that he is from a particular place. In a
nutshell, let me tell you that we arrested criminals without any
coloration for criminality. A criminal is a criminal whether he is
from Chad, Benin Republic or Niger but the first thing in the face
of the law is that whether the arrested persons are criminals or
not, the law will take its course.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, explains
to JOHN CHARLES efforts being
made by the various security agencies to restore peace in Benue
State after the recent killings by Fulani herdsmen and to arrest
the state terror kingpin, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as
Gana.
What is the update on a suspected terror kingpin,
Terwas Akwaza, aka Gana, who was declared wanted for criminal
activities in the state?
The search for this notorious criminal has been ongoing for a
long time. Before now, a special team was deployed in this state.
The team was led by the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State,
when he was CP, Mobile Force and they are doing everything possible
to apprehend Gana and his criminal gang members. The IG has
directed that we should renew efforts and with the deployment of
the technical and intelligence aspect of the police by the
IG, our efforts will yield positive results. With the
situation on the ground, we discovered that without credible
intelligence, it would be difficult to arrest such a criminal. I
want to assure Nigerians that with the new vigour in pursuing this
criminal, within the shortest possible time and with facilities the
police have deployed in this operation, Gana’s days are numbered.
The IG is determined to ensure that the notorious criminal is
brought to book. Anywhere he is, he should know that his days are
numbered. He cannot hide forever. We are determined to arrest all
his lieutenants anywhere they are. We are doing this in conjunction
with our counterpart in the (Department of) State Services and
where personnel are required, we will deploy them. It is just a
matter of time; soonest, we will get them so that the state will be
able to have peace. You are aware that the state governor had also
increased the bounty placed on him to N50m. We also use this
opportunity to tell members of the public to volunteer useful
information that could assist us to apprehend the criminals.
But Gana’s wife has been arrested. Didn’t she
provide useful information that could lead to his
arrest?
I will not say more than I have told you. This is an operation;
an assignment that requires secrecy to cover the operation and we
do not want to jeopardise our efforts.
Are you saying the crisis along that Katsina Ala
area is caused by this suspected terrorist?
The crisis within the Katsina Ala axis has nothing to do with
herdsmen and farmers clashes; it is just communal clashes and it
has historical background. It is between the people of the Ukum
Local Government Area and the Tishile people in the Katsian Ala
Local Government Area. The notorious criminal is from that area,
and there have been indications that sometimes, the two warring
communities employ some members of Gana’s gang to prosecute the
communal clashes. It is a finding that is more or less the
groundwork. You know these people have been together before they
split into factions with some elements supporting Gana while some
are against. However, we are putting a check to this and the
governor and some leaders from the affected areas are complementing
the efforts of the police. The criminality that is taking place in
that axis requires the partnership of governmental and
non-governmental bodies to tackle effectively.
Don’t you think that some people are protecting Gana
and shielding him from arrest?
Nobody can frustrate the arrest of criminals. Security
institutions are upping in their game as I said earlier. With the
application of technology, there is no way he can escape arrest,
though there could be conspiracy of silence. However, there is no
conspiracy that the application of technology will not frustrate.
That is why we are very sure that all efforts that have been put in
place will soon yield results.
A first-class monarch in this state has alleged that
the police are under instruction to protect the Fulani militias
against arrest. What is your reaction to this?
That is very sad. Not just sad, but I know that no revered
monarch in this state will say that. Maybe some people are
making those statements disguising as monarchs. What I know is that
all the revered monarchs in this state have acknowledged that the
police and other security agencies are doing their best to put an
end to security challenges. They will not come out to say that the
police are under instruction to protect Fulani. That will be very
sad, given the losses the Nigeria police have suffered.
What the Nigeria police deserve now is encouragement because the
police personnel, who are not indigenes, are in the state to serve
their fatherland. Many of them have been hacked down in the crisis.
It will be unfortunate for anyone to say that the police are under
instruction to protect one side or the other. Our obligation to the
people of this country is to discharge our statutory duties of
protecting lives and properties and pronto, that is exactly what we
have been doing without bias to any political, tribal or religious
leaning. We must also emphasise that the police have remained the
major organisation that has contributed to the unity of this
country. The IG has supported every effort in bringing an end to
this crisis; a Deputy IG has been on the ground, except if people
wouldn’t say the truth. For the past two weeks, we have seen a
drastic reduction in the hostilities and that is something people
of this state should commend.
I will repeat it: It is very sad and unfortunate. Anyone that
makes such insinuation must be an agent of conflict in the state,
what we need is for every stakeholder to partner with the police
and other security agencies to ensure that we are able to get those
causing crisis in the state. As I speak to you, I can roll
out the areas we have covered. We have interacted with various
IDPs. We have placed security in the areas in order to give them
assurance. If you go round to some of these places, some of the
displaced persons have come back fully, some partially. The ones I
said returned partially are the ones who would go to their
communities during the day but in the evening, you will see them in
the camps, maybe, for shelter or for food. What we should be
thinking of now is how to rebuild, because if we do not rebuild
those communities, even if you have 100 per cent security there,
people will still be going in and out of the IDP camps.
Since you have been around, especially in the heat
of this crisis, was there any time you felt
overwhelmed?
There is no challenge here that is insurmountable. There was a
commissioner of police here before I came that did his best. The IG
was here and there was also a deputy commissioner of police in
charge of operation that has been operating in this state. We have
not come to face any challenge, neither are we overwhelmed. I am
only contributing my own little quota to what my seniors, the IG,
the DIG and other supporting officers, have done. I have a
commissioner of police from the mobile (unit) here. The IG has
strengthened us enough to arrest the situation.
Let me thank the IG for this support and the priority he has
given to this operation. The reality on the ground as of today is
that the state is relatively calm.
Why are killings still going on in the state despite
the deployment of security operatives?
There is no ongoing killing in the state at the moment. All of
the security apparatus have been up and doing and I want to inform
you that we has recorded a serious reduction in the crisis.
With all the efforts claimed so far, how many Fulani
militia have been arrested?
When you talk of guerrilla warfare and organised crimes, it is
not within the twinkle of an eye that you arrest. We told you
before that when the attacks started, 11 persons were arrested in
connection with the crisis. The trial is ongoing. Also, about 126
persons were arrested over the disturbance in Gboko. Also, we have
32 persons facing trial against the anti-open grazing law. Within
the past one week, a lot of arrests have been made. Concerning the
crisis in Gboko, we have arrested one of the principal actors in
that case; that was done yesterday (Monday). The technical aspect
of police was able to get him; that was in addition to 10 other
persons who were arrested last week who have been presented as
principal actors in the killing of seven persons in Gboko. In
addition to that, we have in the kitty four suspects who were
actively involved in the attacks that took place in Logo and Guma,
including the ones that attacked the police, but investigation is
still ongoing. However, in order not to jeopardise our
investigation, evidence has confirmed that the four persons were
actively involved; even one of them is probably the armourer of the
militia group. We are expanding our investigation so that we will
be able to get more clues that could lead to the arrest of others
who are involved. As soon as we gather all our findings together,
the people will be prosecuted.
Part of what the IG was committed to doing is in furtherance of
the directive of Mr. President that the people must be arrested to
ensure that justice is given. It is when you ensure justice that
you will put an end to all acts of impunity because if you look at
what happened, it has a political background to it. With the
efforts of finding a lasting solution into this and the
support of the IG, you can rest assured that in no time, more and
more people who were involved would be arrested. One of them in the
incident in Logo, where some policemen were attacked, has
been arrested and his AK-47 was also recovered, including the
arrest of a mole who happens to be a native that gives information
to these militiamen .You will see that a lot has been
achieved, but confidently, I can tell you that we have gained a lot
of ground. This is with the support of the IG and the guidance of
the DIG on the ground and the support of the state governor who has
also said he wants an end to this crisis. We also held
stakeholders’ meetings both in Makurdi and in Laafia with the
Myetti Allah people, local government chairmen and other
stakeholders. From those meetings, we had intelligence report,
particularly about the communities that border Benue and Nasarawa,
that the militia may use Kadarko in Nasarawa to enter Benue and we
took it upon ourselves to go to the areas in Nasarawa to inform
them not to make the mistakes but to know that Benue State has this
law. All these are the gains from interactions and partnership with
the people. Where the action of security people is required, we
have not hesitated to deploy it in accordance with the law.
Are foreigners among the suspects so far arrested by
your men based on an earlier report by the DSS that foreigners from
some West African countries are part of those responsible for the
killings in this part of the country?
Well, you know that it is always difficult to know who is a
foreigner in this country. Remember that there was a time in the
UK, if you arrest 10 persons, almost nine were Nigerians because we
are like the rallying point for the entire Africa. This can only be
done when someone admits that he is from a particular place. In a
nutshell, let me tell you that we arrested criminals without any
coloration for criminality. A criminal is a criminal whether he is
from Chad, Benin Republic or Niger but the first thing in the face
of the law is that whether the arrested persons are criminals or
not, the law will take its course.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/benue-monarch-cant-accuse-police-of-shielding-killer-fulani-owoseni/