Police search for armed robbery and kidnapping suspect Terwase Akwaza with 33 wives

BENUE State Police Command has stepped up its search for wanted armed robber and kidnapper Terwase Akwaza who married 33 women after it was alleged that any woman he touched ended up as his wife.

Yesterday, the command arraigned his wife Queen Akwaza, over her alleged refusal to disclose her husband’s whereabouts. Mrs Akwaza, who appeared before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate’s Court, was charged with criminal conspiracy, screening of armed robbery and kidnapping suspects and acts of terrorism.

According to the prosecutor Hyacinth Gbakor, the offences are punishable under sections 1(2)(b), 6(a)(b)(c) of the robbery and firearms acts, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and section 1(2) of Terrorism (Prevention)(Amendment) Act, 2013. Mr Gabor told the court that on June 15, 2017, a team of Police Joint Task Force Patrol, led by Simon Majinga, arrested eight persons, who were arraigned in the same court, on July 7, for the same crimes.

He said “The team reported that the suspects were carrying out acts of kidnapping, hostage taking and terrorism. It said that the criminals, led by Akwaza, his wife, Queen and one Teryima Ihimbe, operated around Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Ukum and Vandeikya areas of Benue."

According to the prosecution, during police investigation, it was also discovered that Mrs Akwaza was the brain behind the kidnappings and other nefarious acts spearheaded by Zendedoo Tsekaa, one of the suspects arraigned earlier. Mr Gbakor said that Mrs Akwaza was arrested on July 7, 2017 and she confessed to the crimes.

Although no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction, the accused person, in a statement to the police, claimed that her husband used charm on her, which hypnotised her into marrying him. She claimed that her husband had touched her on the buttocks in the market and she followed him immediately afterwards.

“Immediately after that touch, I followed him and have been living with him since then. I am his 33rd wife as any woman he touches, ends up with him,” she stated.

Mrs Akwaza added that the only child from the union, a girl, was killed and buried by the husband. Chief Magistrate Isaac Ajim, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the matter to August 8, for further mention and meanwhile asked the prison authorities to give her a comprehensive medical check-up.