Former labour minister Hussaini Akwanga kidnapped by armed gunmen in Nasarawa State

FORMER of labour and productivity Hussaini Akwanga has been abducted by armed gunmen at his farm on Wamba Road in Akwanga in Nasarawa State in what appears to be the latest high profile kidnapping incident in Nigeria.

Mr Akwanga served during the administration of president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo but was removed on December 42003, following an alleged $214m national identity card scam. He has since retired to his native Nasarawa State where he has engaged in farming at his facility in Akwanga town, located about 46km north of Lafia, the state capital.

Kennedy Idirisu, a spokesman for the Nasarawa State Police Command, who confirmed the abduction, said the former minister was kidnapped on August 22. He added that on receiving the information on the abduction, the state police commissioner Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, mobilised policemen, led by the deputy commissioner in charge of operations to search for the abducted former minister.

He added that the police commissioner himself has gone to Akwanga to boost the rescue operation and ensure that the victim is released unhurt. Mr Idirisu reiterated the commitment of the command to ridding the state of kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Meanwhile, a family source said 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.