VAM News Update

Gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked the residence of the former minister of information, Mr Labaran Maku in Ola community, Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa State.

Three security guards attached to the residence,
sustained serious injuries during the attack on Saturday.

According to one of the security guards, the attackers tried to force their way into the residence but were resisted by the guards.

“When they couldn’t get access, they started shooting sporadically and scaled the fence into the residence,” he explained.

The suspected bandits fled on sighting security agents who rushed in from Akwanga to deal with the situation.
The former minister who confirmed the development on Sunday, said the incident was the third within a period of one month.

“You will remember they invaded my father’s compound at Wakama and kidnapped three of my siblings about a month ago. The other time they killed two of my elder brother’s children right at the residential house. What happened showed clearly that our state is under siege by suspected bandits. It took the intervention of the Army and the police deployed to Akwanga who immediately rushed to my residence to save the situation.”

Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Sule condemned the attack on the former minister’s residence by suspected bandits.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mr Peter Ahemba on Sunday in Lafia, the governor described the attack as barbaric and sad.

The statement disclosed that the governor had already asked the security agencies in the state to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment in securing the lives and property of the people of the state.

“The State Government is already partnering with the top Military Command, the Police and other Para-military agencies to ensure that the bandits fleeing from other parts of the country as a result of military offensive do not have a hiding place in Nassrawa State.

“Governor Sule also warned criminal elements operating under whatever guise to leave or desist from their evil ways as the State has no hiding place for criminals.

“The Governor, on behalf of the Government and people of Nassrawa State, extends his deepest sympathy to the former Minister of Information over the unfortunate incident and to the injured security personnel, who were on duty at the time of the invasion,” the statement said.