Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule
By DANJUMA JOSEP, Lafia –
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has condemned in strong terms the invasion of the residence of former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, at Ola, in Akwanga Local Government Area of the State by suspected bandits at the late hours of Saturday.
The invasion is coming barely a month after armed men stormed the same compound and kidnapped two men and a woman to an unknown destination, before they were later released.
A statement signed by Peter Ahemba, SSA on Public Affairs, said the Governor, described the incident as unfortunate and has since directed the Police and other security agencies in the state to ensure that the criminals are brought to book.
“Governor Sule hereby reassures that, as a responsible Government, the security of lives and property as well as the general well-being of the citizens will continue to top priority by his administration”
“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”
The statement issued to newsmen on Sunday, said the Governor, 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” Ahemba said.
National Accord, gathered that the gunmen in sporadic shooting forced their way into Maku’s Ola residential house at about 7:50pm on Saturday
According to one of the security guards that was brutally injured, the gunmen came speaking Hausa language, banging the gate and started shooting sporadically when they were denied access to the house.
“They came in mob and ordered me to open the entrance gate. When I resisted because I did not know who they were, they started shooting and jumped the fences into the compound”, the injured security guard said.
When contacted, Mr. Labaran Maku said it was the third time in one month his resident would be attacked by unknown gunmen.
“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 today 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, on sighting the army, they fled into the bush”, Maku said.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the gunmen came in two groups, one stationed in Maku’s residence while the second group went to the residence of one Mrs Kasuwa David (a.k.a Madam Enugu), a very close political associate of Maku, in an attempt to kidnap her, but she escaped.
