A former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Hussaini Akwanga, has been kidnapped. The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed his abduction.

Akwanga served during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was removed in December 2003, following an alleged $214 million national identity card scam.

The spokesman for the Nasarawa State Police Command, DSP. Kennedy Idirisu, who confirmed the abduction, in Lafia, on Wednesday, said that Akwanga was kidnapped by gunmen at his farm on Wamba Road in Akwanga on Tuesday.

Idirisu said that on receiving the information on the abduction, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, mobilised his men, 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.”

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

Meanwhile, a family source told NAN 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. (NAN)