Information Minister, Labaran Maku has denied the report that fingered him in the violence in his home state of Nasarawa.
In a statement by his media aide, Joseph Mutah, Maku said his attention has been drawn to the said allegation that he was one of the architects of the violence.
Mutah recalled that the newspaper claimed that the violence was birthed from alleged rivalry between the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku and Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura over the 2015 governorship election.
He said: “It is shocking that this story was published without recourse to the available facts about the unfortunate violence which are in the public domain in Nasarawa State, and which have also been reported widely in the media.
“Either the reporter did not understand the facts on ground or the story was deliberately planted to divert the attention of Nigerians and security agencies from the real story behind the blood-letting in Nasarawa State.
“For the information of Nigerians and members of the public, the Minister of Information has in the last one year waged a one-man campaign in Nasarawa State, which was widely reported in both the print and electronic media against the activities of militia and mercenaries who have been destroying communities, lives and property in the state.
The aide insisted that the people of Nasarawa State know the truth behind this unfortunate violence and the perpetrators, adding that “Mr. Maku is totally and completely unconnected to anything violent and ungodly.
“Right from his days as a student union leader in the University of Jos, a teacher, a journalist, commissioner, Deputy Governor and now Minister, Mr. Maku has been a man of peace and has never been associated with violence. He has repeatedly waged campaigns against violence and called for a ban on the activities of all political thugs and militia groups throughout the country.
He maintained that “The story is therefore completely false, unfounded and a calculated attempt to associate the good name of the Honourable Minister with the ugly violence in Nasarawa State.
He also called on all peace-loving people of Nasarawa State, particularly the youths to refuse to be used as agents of destruction and to rise up against the increasing wave of violence by militia, mercenaries and cultists in the state.
Maku urged security agencies to carry out thorough investigation and bring the actors and perpetrators of the carnage in Nasarawa State to justice.
The Minister also commiserated with innocent Nigerians, particularly the families of the security personnel who were killed in the violence which has been developing in Nasarawa State unabated in the last two years.
Meanwhile, the AIG in charge of Zone 4 (Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states) Mike Zuokumor has on the orders of the IGP relocated to Nasarawa State.
A statement by the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, disclosed that the Police High Command has established a dedicated telephone line for members of the public who may wish to provide vital and useful information on the Nasarawa incident.
He said this is part of efforts at encouraging a wider and communal participation in the investigation into the recent killing of policemen in the state .
Mba said such information can be provided via this phone number; 07066228200 (calls or SMS) or email: policemonitor@npf.gov.ng.
The IGP reminded the public that an attack on the security forces of any nation is an attack on the entire nation. He therefore appealed to Nigerians to support the Police as it strives to tackle this and other security challenges facing the nation.
Furthermore, in a bid to alleviate the sufferings of families of the slain officers, the IGP has transferred Force Welfare Officer, DCP Abiodun Ige from Force Headquarters to Nasarawa State.
The development is to ensure speedy and effective coordination of all welfare related issues touching on the families, including but not limited to the payment of all statutory and relevant compensation.
The IGP pleaded for patience and understanding of family and friends of the slain officers, particularly the release of the remains, promising that all corpses will be released as soon as preliminary enquiries are concluded.
While restating the commitment of the Force to uncover and bring to book the perpetrators of this crime, the IGP reassured the deceased’s loved one’s of the Force’s total support and commitment at all times.
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