Memories| Read What Happened To Senator George Akume On MARCH 03,2004.

Benue State Governor, Chief George Akume, narrowly escaped death on this day 3 March 2004 following an armed gang attack on his official convoy on his way to Abuja to attend a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting.

Former Managing Director of Nigeria Airways, Mr. Andrew Agom and a police sergeant, Joseph Ngam, who were with the governor at the time of the attack were, however, not as lucky as they were felled by the gang's bullets. Agom was in the same car with the governor. 

The armed gang comprising over 40 armed men attacked the governor's convoy at about 7.15a.m at Nasarawa Eggon, along the Lafia-Akwanga road. The venue of the incident was about 20 kilometers to Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.Ngam died in a hospital in Abuja at about 2.10 p.m. from injuries sustained from the gun shots.Akume's convoy left Makurdi, the state capital at about 5.30 a.m. for Abuja to attend the PDP meeting.

 One of the governor's aides, Mr. Terry Igbakule, told THISDAY that, "the governor's convoy and the official jeep of the governor with the governor seated right inside with his bossom friend, Andrew Agom was attacked at about 7.15 a.m. at Nasarawa Eggon. The armed gang numbering over 40 first opened fire on the pilot car of the governor and his official Land Cruiser jeep.
"The governor's driver told the governor to lie down, and before you could know it, their bullet had hit Andrew Agom who cried out in pain, saying 'Your Excellency, they have got me.' At that point, he slumped into the governor's hands."
The eyewitness account said the day was saved by the Mobile Police men in the governor's convoy, who challenged the attackers, by returning fire immediately. He added that despite challenging the attackers, the convoy sped off immediately without stopping.

The eyewitness account said the armed gang directed their bullets at the leg of the governor's driver. The purpose, he said, was to hit him and make him lose control.
Immediately the governor arrived Abuja, he was said to have headed to the residence of the then  National Chairman of PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh. Ogbeh was said to have expressed deep shock on hearing news of the attack.

At the Benue State Governor's lodge sympathizers were seen trooping to sympathize with the governor over the incident.At the governor's lodge, plans had been concluded to buy a bullet proof jeep for the use of the governor.
Some of the early sympathisers who visited Akume included the Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Adamu Bello, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, Senators Daniel Saror, Joshua Adagba, the governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame among others.
Senate President Adolphus Wabara said he "received with sadness and utter dismay the news of the attempt this morning by unknown persons to assassinate the Benue State Governor, Chief George Akume, while he was travelling along Nassarawa-Eggon/Akwanga road, on his way to Abuja".
Wabara said the attempt on the life of Akume just like the dastardly murder of the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief A.K. Dikibo, was a huge dent on the image of the country.

He expressed regrets that assassins appeared to be enjoying free reign in spite of efforts by the Federal Government to improve security across the country.
"The Senate President is particularly saddened by the fact that the attempt on Akume's life led to the death of a chieftain of the PDP in Benue State who was said to be riding in the same staff car as the governor", the statement signed by Wabara Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Henry Ugbolie, stated.

The Northern governors Forum in a communique at the end of their meeting in Kaduna yesterday extended heartfelt sympathy to His Excellency, the executive governor of Benue State, on the death of one of the members of his entourage. The forum prayed for the protection of the governor and all Nigerians alike."
Taraba governor, Jolly Nyame had before the meeting started offered prayers for the repose of the dead. 

Meanwhile, the political leadership of Benue people in a statement signed by Senator David Mark promised a reward of N1million for information that could lead to the arrest of the leader and members of the gang.
Addressing a press conference  in Abuja on behalf of political leadership of Benue State, Mark said: "Today, about 7 .15 am, the Governor of Benue state, Mr. George Akume, was attacked by armed bandits along the Lafia-Akwanga road, near Wowen, in Nasarawa state. The Governor's jeep and pilot car were targeted. Engineer Andrew Agom, one of the nation's foremost nationalists and patriots was slain by the bullets of the bandits as he sat next to the Governor. A police Sergeant, Joseph Ngam, of MOPOL 13 Makurdi also paid the supreme price as the bullets tore through his head in the pilot car. Mercifully, the Governor's life was miraculously saved. 

"We, the political leaders of Benue State, hereby unequivocally condemn most strongly this wanton act of brigandage and banditry. We condemn most strongly this attack on the nation's security, as being totally unacceptable to all peace loving people of the country. This attack is not just one too many, but the final attack beyond which the nation may unwittingly allow anarchy, banditry, and terrorism to set our national agenda.

"We hereby therefore, resolve to call on the whole nation, led by our Police Force to mount a massive manhunt to arrest and arraign the perpetrators of this unprecedented dastardly and wanton act and cause them to pay dearly for their crime.

"We call on all Nigerians everywhere who have any information that may lead to the arrest of any member of this gang to come forward. Let us expose these criminals, and by so doing, restore confidence in our collective ability to provide security for the nation and thereby restore the confidence in our security forces and regain a proper investment climate in the international community.
"We believe that God will give the departed repose, but also that never again shall we face a situation so dire. We sympathize with our governor and hereby give a one million naira reward for information leading to the arrest of the leader and members of this gang". The police took possession of the official jeep of the governor and the official pilot car.The vehicles were reportedly taken to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).

Thank God for sparing my Uncle's life,only recently it was rumoured that he died in a German hospital,well he is back,stronger and ready for politics.