On June 27, 2023, Mr. Saawua Terzungwe, the Deputy Political Editor of the Daily Trust newspaper, escaped an attempt made on his life while he was returning home from the office in Abuja. Saawua worked on the production desk until late into the night, leaving his office after 11 pm. After leaving office he drove his car and headed home to the Mararaba area in neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Saawua worked on the production desk until late into the night, leaving his office after 11 pm. After leaving office he drove his car and headed home to Mararaba area of Nasarawa State.
Some unknown persons followed him in a car to the estate where he lived and confronted him with firearms after he entered through the gate to the estate. The leader of the group expressly ordered his men to kill the journalist.
Recalling his experience, Saawua said the assailants did not make any demands for money, ATM cards, or transfers. He disclosed that one of the would-be assassins ordered him to surrender his car key, but their leader expressed anger towards the member, and ordering that he should be shot.
They fired several shots at him but he managed to escape through a backdoor and navigated his way through a bush path to seek protection and help at the nearest police station. One of Saawua’s neighbors later informed him that his attackers had continued searching for him within the confines of the mini estate, persistently threatening to end his life that very night.
The assailants absconded with Saawua’s car key, wallet, and one of his phones, which they took from his vehicle before he had a chance to secure them.
After the incident, Saawua promptly reported the matter to the police.
