BREAKING: Panic As Gunmen Kidnap Top Politician, His Godfather (PHOTO)

There was panic among residents as the chairman of Akwanga local government area in Nasarawa state, Safiyanu Isa Andaha, and his political godfather, Adamu Umar Custom, were abducted by gunmen.

The incident occurred on the evening of January 1 at Bingo village in Akwanga.

The two political figures were traveling together in a vehicle without a driver and security personnel when assailants emerged from the bushes, abducting them and transporting them to an unknown location. Security agencies swiftly responded, chasing after the gunmen who fled with the council chairman.

Confirming the incident, the special adviser to the Nasarawa Governor on local government and chieftaincy affairs, Haruna Kassimu, stated that the abduction took place at about 8:30 pm on New Year’s Day. The state police public relations officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, mentioned that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, were on the trail of the kidnappers to ensure the release of the council chairman and his political godfather. The police commissioner in the state, Umar Nadada, had mobilized personnel for the pursuit.

Kassim Mohammad Kassim, the special adviser to the governor on political matters and a resident of Akwanga local government, condemned the act, urging youths to resist trading human beings for money. He called on security agencies to ensure the safe release of the kidnapped chairman.

An unconfirmed report from a close aide to one of the abductees suggested that the incident may be politically motivated, possibly connected to the upcoming local government elections later this year. Hon Andaha, who took over as the council chairman after the death of his predecessor, is planning to seek another tenure in August 2024.