The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the kidnappers of Dr Joseph Kigbu, a former member of the House of Representatives for Lafia, Obi, and Keana Federal Constituency, and his wife.
The Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Yusuf Idi, confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Lafia, the state capital, on Tuesday.
According to Idi, the State Commissioner of Police, Umar Nadada, has directed the tactical units of the command to work closely with the military to ensure the safe rescue of the victims as swiftly as possible.
“The Nasarawa State Police Command is aware of the incident. The Commissioner of Police has already instructed the tactical teams, in collaboration with the military and other security agencies, to track down the criminals for their possible arrest and to ensure that the victims are rescued unhurt,” he said.
Attack Details
Our correspondent learned that the prominent politician and his wife were abducted on Monday evening while travelling to Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Further investigation revealed that a police officer attached to the convoy was killed during the attack, carried out by a large group of gunmen.
The incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. between Nunku in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and Gwantu in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The location is infamous for criminal activities, with numerous kidnappings having occurred there, often resulting in the loss of lives.
Eyewitness Account
A resident of the area confirmed the incident, describing the sporadic gunfire heard around the communities as the bandits carried out their operation.
The villager recounted that residents later discovered the lifeless body of the police officer who had been assigned to protect Dr Kigbu. They found his remains at the scene of the attack hours after the incident.
“We appeal to the security agencies, including the police, to act swiftly and ensure the victims are released unharmed.
“The insecurity in this area is alarming. We are urging the government to intervene by deploying adequate security personnel to restore peace so that we can sleep with both eyes closed,” the resident said.