A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbu, was kidnapped yesterday, December 3, 2024, by suspected bandits while travelling to Jos.

The incident, which happened around 6:00 p.m., took place around Nunku in Akwanga Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, and Gwantu in Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

The assailants fatally shot the police escort assigned to Dr. Kigbu who tried to resist the kidnapping in a gunfight. Witnesses reported that the bandits fired sporadically, causing panic among road users in the area.

The locals confirmed the incident, noting that the scene has been a hotspot for criminal activities over the years.

Attempts to reach the Nasarawa State Police Command for comments failed, as calls to the police public relations officer went unanswered at the time of filing this report.

The kidnapping of Dr. Kigbu and the death of the police escort stress the persistent security problems plaguing the region, with many residents calling for increased security presence in the area.