Operatives arrest Benue militia kingpin, Azonto

Suspected second in command and successor of Benue militia warlord, Terwase Akwaza alias Gana, Kefas Aondofa otherwise called Azonto, has been arrested by joint security operatives.

A military source who pl20eaded anonymity told newsmen in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, that Azonto was arrested in Taraba State last Thursday by security agents following a joint operation in the area.

The source explained that Azonto and members of his gang had been terrorising villages in Ukum Local Government Area and some other parts of the state until his arrest.

The source said: ‘’Actually, the arrest was made in Taraba and not here in Benue but you know he has been on our watch list. He has been terrorising communities around Ukum area.

“With the endless efforts of our troops and the DSS in a joint operation, we recorded another success in the fight against banditry and criminality.”

He added that intelligence gathering shared among security agencies in the North Central resulted in the arrest of the militia leader in his hideout, adding that he was cooling his heels in the custody of the DSS.

The Guardian could recall that Gana was killed by the military over one year ago while on his way to the Government House in Makurdi for a second amnesty but that did not mark the end of operations by his lieutenants in the state and adjoining communities.