3 injured as bandits invade former information minister Maku’s residence in Nasarawa

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Former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku

By Linus Ogbu, Lafia

Suspected bandits invaded the residence of the former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku at Akwanga in Nasarawa State and injured three security guards.

According to one of the guards who sustained various degree of injuries, the bandits force their way into the compound of the former Minister in Akwanga at about 7:50 pm on Saturday.

He said the attackers were heard communicating in Hausa language at the same time banging on the entrance gate as well as shooting sporadically when they were refused entry.

“They came in numbers and ordered me to open the entrance gate, when I resisted because I did not know who they are, they started shooting and scaled up the fence into the compound”, the guard said.

When contacted Mr. Maku said it was the third time in one month his resident would be attacked by suspected Fulani bandits.

“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 show 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 lamented.

Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Sule has condemned in totality, the reported invasion of the residence of the former Minister of Information at OLA in Akwanga.

The Governor, in a Statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs describes the incident as unfortunate, noting that he had since directed the Police and other security agents in the state to ensure that the criminals were brought to book.

Sule reassured that the security of lives and property as well as the general well-being of the citizens would continue to be given 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 Nasarawa state.

“The Governor, on behalf of the Government and people of Nasarawa 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.

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.