Benue communities deserted as security agents launch manhunt for criminals

As men of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police in Benue State declaring manhunt to arrest ‘Gana,’ a notorious criminal gang leader that has been giving the people of Katsina- Ala and Ukum Local Government Areas of the state nightmare, people of these local councils have relocated for fear of the unknown.

Meanwhile, state Governor Samuel Ortom has promised to make all government media outfits functional for effective dissemination of government activities.

Ortom, while noting in particular, the poor state of Radio Benue and the Benue Printing and Publishing Company, publishers of The Voice newspaper assured that everything would be done to restore the lost glory of the media outfits.

He announced that he has decided to withdraw the case he filed in against Ashi Waves Radio Station Katsina-Ala in line with his spirit of forgiveness, as he was now Governor of the entire state.

The Guardian investigations reveals at time of filing this report, men of the military have positioned themselves in strategic places in Gbishe settlement and hometown of one of the notorious gang leader popularly called ‘Gana.’

Gana is suspected to be behind the killing of a Lance Corporal, an army officer of 72 Battalion and a police Sergeant attached to 13 Mopol Unit last Tuesday at Zaki-Biam, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

It is learnt that the two who died from the gang attack were on patrol in Zaki Biam town and on their way to respond to distress calls from people about the criminal activity that was going on in the town before the officers met their Waterloo.

An eyewitness from the area who confided in The Guardian said Gana’s Camp, which is located in Gbishe settlement has been reduced to rubles by men of the army who have together with the police taken charge of the village, located on Kilometre 50, along Katsina- Ala Takum road.

The source further hinted that though, Gana and his members had escaped before the arrival of the military team, some people were arrested in the area to provide useful information about the gang hideouts.

Confirming the manhunt of the gang leader and his men by the army, Benue State Police command spokesman, ASP Austin Ezeani said the police has discovered some of the gang hideouts in the area.
Ezeani advised residents of the affected area to stop freeing and not be scare about heavy presence of security personnel said it is for their safety and protection.

He said truck loads of policemen headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP have been drafted to the flash point to unravel the criminals and urged the people to volunteer information even as he urged traditional rulers to always isolate the criminals living in their domains.

The PPRO further intimated that following the manhunt declared against criminals in the state by the police, some hideouts of one of the notorious armed robber that used to terrorized Buruku and Gboko Local Council Areas of the state popularly called “Three Stars General” have also been discovered and some of his members.
He said the police thwarted a kidnapping attempt and arrested the three kidnappers in Gboko town of the state.