Benue govt expresses joy over arrest of Rev. Fr Adeyi’s killers

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has commended the police in ensuring the arrest of a gang of four who kidnapped and murdered Vicar-General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese and parish priest of St. Bernards parish, Okpoga, Rev. Fr Dr. John Adeyi.

The governor said this following the parade of the four suspects who have already confessed to the crime at the Force
Headquarters in Abuja.

The governor, however, noted that he would only be happy after the four face the full wrath of the law.

Represented by his deputy and chairman of the state’s Amnesty Programme, Benson Abounu, the governor condemned the dastardly act and wondered “why any sane human being could so heartlessly kill a gentleman as kind-hearted as Fr. Adeyi who ran a home for widows, among many other humanitarian activities he was involved in.”

He commended the police in arresting the killers and warned criminals in the state to take heed as the long arm of the law would catch up with them.

Ortom also stressed that with the needed synergy between government, police and other security agencies in the country, there will be no hiding places for criminals.

On the wanted gang leader, Terwase Akwaza, also known as Ghana, the governor called on him to hand himself over to the police and noted that if he had no hands in the killing of this special assistant on Security, Denen Igbana, then, he should come in to clear himself.

The governor disclosed that because the state government has now started using the stick approach in its fight against crime, the rate of criminality in the state has dropped in the past two months.

Benue places N5m bounty on wanted killer

The Benue State Security Council on Wednesday promised a reward of N5m for anyone who could provide useful information on the whereabouts of Terwase Akwaza, alias Ghana, who had been declared wanted in connection with various crimes in the state.

The acting Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Bem Meladu, made this known while briefing journalists at the end of the state security council meeting, presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi.

Melladu said, the council took the decision after reappraising the efforts made so far by security agencies to apprehend Akwaza and his gang members.

He said that Akwaza was a beneficiary of the state amnesty programme and had been declared wanted by the police for his alleged involvement in kidnappings, armed robberies and assassinations.

According to him, Akwaza, also known as Ghana, is being hunted for his alleged involvement in the killing of the governor’s security aide, Mr. Denen Igbana, and rustling of over 7,000 cattle in the state.

Melladu said, “I want to passionately appeal to the people of Benue State and beyond to volunteer information that will lead to the arrest of the notorious criminal. I still advise people not to give him and his gang members cover.”