Police escort killed as bandits abduct former Rep member in Nasarawa

In a tragic incident that highlights the escalating security challenges in Nigeria, Hon. Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbu, a former member of the House of Representatives, was abducted by suspected bandits on his way to Jos.

The abduction occurred yesterday evening around 6:00 p.m., along the notorious Nunku-Gwantu route, which links Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Sanga in Kaduna State.

Reports indicate that the assailants ambushed Dr. Kigbu’s convoy, leading to a violent confrontation with his police escort.

The officer, who courageously attempted to fend off the attackers, was fatally shot during the gun battle. Eyewitnesses described the chaos as the bandits fired sporadically, forcing motorists in the vicinity to flee for their lives.

Residents of nearby villages confirmed the abduction and lamented the increasing frequency of criminal activities in the area, which has become a hotspot for banditry. Many expressed frustration over the lack of adequate security measures to protect travelers on the route.

Efforts to obtain a statement from the Nasarawa State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer went unanswered.

The abduction of Dr. Kigbu and the loss of his police escort underscore the urgent need for heightened security interventions in the region. Local residents and stakeholders are calling on authorities to intensify patrols and deploy more resources to safeguard lives and property along this dangerous corridor.