DSS operatives

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services has announced arrest of notorious criminals which it said are  gang members  of Terwase Agwaza, aka Ghana, a notorious kidnapper who runs a kidnapping and criminal network in Benue State.

While announcing the arrests, Tony Opuiyo, spokesperson for the secret police in a statement issued on Monday said: “Following the spate of gruesome killing and kidnap incidents in Benue State, on 8 August, 2016, the Service arrested one Terfa JIRGBA and two (2) of his accomplices, namely Terzungee KWAGHAONDO and Mathias AENDE, at Badagry Street off Esther Aka road in Makurdi, Benue State.

“JIRGBA is an active ally and gang member of Terwase AGWAZA aka GHANA, a notorious kidnapper who runs a kidnapping and criminal network in Benue State.

“In a follow-up operation, one TERUNGWA ABUR aka was trailed to Port-Harcourt City in Rivers State. He was eventually picked up on 16th August, 2016.

“ ABUR is the second in Command to AGWAZA and a key member of the kidnapping gang of Terwase AGWAZA aka GHANA which operates from Benue State.

“He acts as a courier for the underworld gang and was the negotiator of the four million naira (N4, 000,000.00) ransom paid to the gang for the release of two Indian national staff of Dangote Cement Company, Yander-Gboko, who were kidnapped on 29th July, 2016, in Markudi city.

“He also participated in the killing of one ORTIN in Gboko Township on 1st August, 2016.”

The Service added that the arrests of major criminal masterminds in Benue and other adjourning States will continue until the criminal gangs are routed and made to face justice.

In the same vein, the secret police also said to address the activities of various criminal syndicates that have in recent months terrorized residents of Calabar and parts of Akwa Ibom State, on 15 August, 2016, along Ukpong Street in Oron LGA, one Benjamin EMOMOTEMI and his accomplices namely Gabriel AMBROSE, Godbless Taliboth MATTIAS, Blessing SUNDAY, Simeon Blessing Sunday, Edet Effiong ASANAGASI and Rose WILLIAMS, were all apprehended by the Service tactical team.

The suspects, according to DSS were part of a kidnap ring which masterminded the abduction of one Mr. Rufus AKV on 31st May, 2016 and Senator Patrick Ani on 6 July, 2016 in Cross River State.