The police command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the abduction of a
former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Hussaini Akwanga.
Akwanga served during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo
but was removed on Dec. 4, 2003, following an alleged $214 million
national identity card scam.
The spokesman for the Nasarawa State Police Command, DSP. Kennedy Idirisu,
who confirmed the abduction in Lafia on Wednesday, said that Akwanga was
kidnapped by gunmen at his farm on Wamba Road in Akwanga on Aug. 22.
Akwanga town is about 46km north of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
Idirisu said that on receiving the information on the abduction, the
state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, mobilised
policemen, led by the deputy commissioner in charge of operations to
search for the abducted former minister.
“As we speak, the commissioner himself has gone to Akwanga to boost the
rescue operation to ensure that the victim is released unhurt.”
Idirisu reiterated the commitment of the command to ridding the state of
kidnappers and other criminal elements.
Meanwhile, a family source told NAN that the kidnappers had contacted
them, demanding an unspecified amount as ransom.
On May 6, the mother and sister of a member of the Nasarawa State House of
Assembly, Hon. Kassim Mohammed were abducted in Akwanga.(NAN)