Also felled was one of the governor’s police security guards, Sergeant John Ngam, who was in the Pilot car. He was hit in the head. He died at the National Hospital, Abuja where he was rushed to for medical attention about 12 noon.

But some political leaders from the state, who stormed the Benue State Governor’s Lodge in the highbrow Asokoro District of Abuja to commiserate with him on the tragic incident, alleged that suspected assassins could have been at work.

Specifically, Mr Gabriel Suswan and his colleague in the House of Representatives, Mr Terngu Tsegba, alleged assassination bid on the governor and regretted that another prominent son of the state who quietly funded the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Agom, became a victim in the circumstance.

A close associate of the governor, Senator David Mark, who addressed the press on behalf of the political leadership in the state, said a conclusion could not be reached yet whether it was armed bandits’ attack or assassination, stating that “we are leaving all possibilities open.” Senator Mark announced a cash reward of N1 million for anyone who might provide useful information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act. He said a formal report had been made to the Police authorities in Abuja, who, he pointed out, “promised that no stone would be left unturned to get to the roots of the matter.”

Gov Akume's account

His account of the incident as contained in the press conference text: “Today, at about 7.15 a.m., the Governor of Benue State, Mr. George Akume, encountered armed bandits in Lafia, Akwanga road, near Wome in Nasarawa State.  The governor’s Jeep and Pilot car were targeted.  Our very dear friend and brother, 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 Executive Governor of Benue State.

“ A police sergeant also paid the supreme sacrifice 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 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 attack, but the final attack beyond which the nation may unwittingly allow anarchy, banditry and terrorism to set our national agenda on hold.”

Chief  Anthony Anenih said the incident was “a danger signal in the polity,” while Senator Ibrahim Mantu said it was more than “armed robbery.”

It was gathered that Engr. Agom sat on the left hand side of Governor Akume. The governor’s ADC had left the governor car to allow his boss have a lengthy discussion with Agom who was described as a very good friend of the governor.

It was said that although policemen and state security officials who were in the entourage returned fire against the gunmen, none of the hoodlums was killed as they ran into the bush and fled.

At  the venue of the governors meeting at the Major General Hassan Katsina House, Kaduna, Akume’s colleagues offered prayers for the repose of the soul of those killed by the gunmen as well as for the quick recovery of those wounded.

Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State, regretted the inability of Governor Akume to attend the meeting following the gunmen attack and urged the governor of Taraba State, the Rev. Jolly Nyame, to lead the other governors in prayers. Nyame later left the venue of the meeting to sympathise with Akume in Makurdi.

Northern Govs condole Akume
 
Meanwhile, the Forum of Northern Governors has expressed its sympathy to Governor Akume over the incident. The forum noted: "With great concern the attack on the governor of Benue State by  gunmen when he (Akume) was on his way to attend the Forum meeting in Kaduna. The Forum 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.”
Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Chief Sunday Awoniyi, attended the forum with the governors of Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kwara and Borno. Others were the governors of Kebbi and Kogi while the governor of Plateau State was represented.

The man Agom

Engineer Andrew Agada Agom lived a relatively quiet life until yesterday when the bullets of yet unidentified gunmen cut short his life and brought to an end a luminous epoch in socio-political crusading in Benue State. A pillar of philanthropy in Idomaland in particular and Benue State in general, Agom was not given to open display of wealth, whereas he was said to be very solid. He was also said to be a great financier of the PDP in the state and committed his resources to the election of the state governor, Mr. George Akume, with whom he was travelling to Abuja when the gunmen struck.

The aeronautic engineer who until his death was the Chairman of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology in Zaria was born in September 1949 at Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government of Benue State.  He lived a good life, but those close to him said he harboured two fears in life: death in itself and death through gun. Ironically, he died through the weapon he most dreaded.  A source who claimed to have worked closely with him sometime in the past, said he did not like publicity, that he chose to live a silent, uncelebrated life, so that attention of men and women, particularly those who could go after him with evil intention, would not get to know where he was and what he was doing at any particular time: which explained why his whereabouts and actions were not known after he left as Managing Director, Nigeria Always until  his death brought him out.

He attended the prestigious Mount St. Michael’s Secondary, Makurdi from 1968-70 after which he proceeded to Federal School of Telecommunications in Lagos. Chief Agom was also a product of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida; Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Graduate Centre, Miami, Florida, USA between 1975-79.  He was appointed Student Tutor at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University between 1974 and 75 and later student Instructor.

He also served as Engineer, Structural Analysis at the Teledyne brown Engineering in Huntsville Alabama; Technical Operation’s Consultant, Air Carrier supply Incorporated in Miami, United States of America between 1979-81. He also spent several years serving the Nigeria Airways Limited where he became principal purchasing officer of the Nigeria Airways limited; purchasing Manager; Controller of Material Planning and Procurement, between 1986-87.

Late Agom rose to the position of Controller of Central Engineering and Maintenance, Sole Administrator of Nigeria Airways Limited, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Airways Limited between 1993 and 1995.

The pillar of the People's Democratic Party in Benue State was a fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers; member, Institute of Nigerian Aeronautical Engineer and also member, American Institute of Aeronautics and astronautics as well as member, Sigma PHI Delta Engineering Society.

The Traditional title holder of Osimili of Idomaland would be remembered for his openness and philanthropic gesture towards the people of Benue State and beyond.