Weapons recovered as Troops arrest wife of ex-Benue kingpin, Gana, others in Taraba

The Nigerian Army detained infamous criminals in separate raids, including the wife of the late Gana Terwase, a Benue State-born high-profile gun runner.

According to this media, Janet Igohia, 31, was detained on January 25, 2024 while reportedly collecting N1.5 million in ransom for a kidnapped individual in Taraba State.

During interrogation, she revealed that she was Gana Terwase’s wife before he was murdered in a shootout with Nigerian soldiers in Benue State.

She also said that she is currently married to Voryor Gata, another prominent terrorist who was second in command to the late Gana Terwase.

In a separate operation, authorities seized Joshua Dutse Idah, a prominent gunrunner who provided weaponry and ammunition to extremist groups around the country.

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade in Jalingo confirmed the several arrests to SaharaReporters on Thursday, claiming a substantial cache of weaponry, ammunition, and cash were confiscated from the suspects.

He said,

“in the ongoing operations by 6 Brigade Nigerian Army to ensure Taraba State does not become a safe haven for violent extremist groups and insurgents, gallant troops of 93 Battalion under the Brigade have successfully apprehended a notorious gunrunner involved in illegal dealings of arms and ammunition to criminals elements within

Taraba State and other parts of the country.

“Following credible intelligence on the activities of the arms dealer named Joshua Dutse Idah age 45, troops trailed his movement which led to his final arrest on 20 January 2024 in Ibi town of Ibi LGA while driving to Kaduna State in a Blue Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number Rivers SKN-390AA.

“On interrogation, Dutse confessed he was going to Katsina State to bring in AK 47 Rifles and that he received part payment of 300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira). After a thorough search on the vehicle, troops recovered 1 PK Machine Gun, Quantity 399 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition and 3 AK 47 Rifle Magazines.

“Also, on 25 January 2024, information was received from our sources on the activities of extremist groups and Insurgents around Chanchanji and Sai communities on their plans to move to a drop zone where relatives of abducted victims were directed to drop ransom money.

“Based on this information, troops deployed at Chanchanji laid in wait at the suspected area and at about 10:00 am, Janet Igohia, age 31, was arrested after picking up the sum of one million, five hundred thousand naira (N1,500,000.00) only being ransom payment for an abducted victim.

“Janet Igohia revealed that she is presently married to Voryor Gata, a notorious criminal and former second in command to late Gana Terwase. She is currently married to the leader of a violent extremist group in southern Taraba. According to her, she had previously been married to high profile criminals such as late Terkibi Gemaga, AKA Mopol a notorious kidnapper who was killed by troops 5 years ago.

“She revealed that she also got married to late Gana Terwase another notorious criminal who was killed during Joint Special Force Operation 3 years ago.

“Additionally, troops deployed at Mararaba Baissa community of Donga Local Government Area, apprehended 2 other suspected gunrunners who were allegedly involved in extra judicial killings and cattle rustling with the sum of 664,000 (Six Hundred and Sixty Four Thousand Naira) which were proceeds of their illegal activities and 2 Techno mobile phones. The criminals are: Alhaji Adamu Damisa, age 40 and Usman Isah, age 44.”

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