TheCable

The police command in Nasarawa state has confirmed the abduction of Hussaini Akwanga, a former minister of labour and productivity.

Akwanga served during the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo but was removed on December 4, 2003, following an alleged $214 million national identity card scam.

Kennedy Idirisu, spokesman of the Nasarawa state police command, who confirmed the abduction in Lafia on Wednesday, said Akwanga was kidnapped by gunmen at his farm on Wamba Road in Akwanga on Tuesday, August 22.

Idirisu said that on receiving information on the abduction, the state’s commissioner of police, 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,” he said.

Idirisu reiterated the commitment of the command to ridding the state of kidnappers and other criminal elements.

NAN quotes a family source as saying 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, Kassim Mohammedm were similarly abducted in Akwanga.