Former Governor Gabriel Suswam is being probed by the Department of
State Services (DSS) for his alleged link with a militia leader, Terwaze
Akwazza (a.k.a Gana).
Three Benue State local government areas – Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum – are said to be in Akwazza’s grip.
The secret service is also investigating the ex-governor for
allegedly building an armoury in his mansion, which is under
construction in Makurdi.
Among those building the mansion, which is said to be close to the
Ministry of Agriculture in the state capital, are three Israelis.
But a source close to Suswam yesterday said he suspected a frame-up by the ex-governor’s rivals.
Suswam was trying to meet bail terms as at press time. He has been in detention for five days.
According to a security source, who pleaded not to be named because
he is not permitted to talk to the media, if Suswam is found to be
innocent, the DSS will free him.
The source said: “The DSS is looking into the activities of a militia
leader in Benue State, Terwaze Akwazza (a.k.a Gana) whose group has
been terrorising innocent villagers.
“From security reports, the gang leader has held hostage three local
governments – Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum. His group is running a
mini-government in the affected local councils with locals paying
obeisance, remitting funds and now even taking disputes to the group’s
court.
“Although Akwazza initially embraced the Amnesty Programme of the
state government, he later reneged and returned to his base in
mountainous areas. It is from there that his boys have been killing and
maiming innocent citizens.
“The situation in Benue, especially in the three local governments,
is getting closer to how Boko Haram started and security agencies cannot
sit idle without looking at all clues.”
Some indigenes of Benue have alleged that there is a link between
Suswam and Akwazza. “At a point, we got reports that Akwazza boys were
providing security for the former governor instead of the Police and the
DSS,” the source said.
Besides, it was alleged that the former governor was in touch with
Akwazza even after the militia leader had been declared wanted.
“Detectives are probing whether Suswam facilitated an interview for
Akwazza with a television station. There are so many angles to this
case,” he said.
Detectives are said to have discovered that the militia leader was
heavily armed during the 2015 general elections by some chieftains of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“But after the poll, the group became unbearable and started waging guerilla attacks on villagers in Benue State.
“This is why we invited the ex-governor to explain his own side. We
have not said Suswam is guilty. We are holding him to assist our
investigation,” the source said.
Security agencies are also investigating alleged building of an armoury by the ex-governor.
The DSS on Sunday detained Suswam over the recovery of some guns,
ammunition, and 45 keys of “exotic” cars from two vehicles linked with
him.
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